French officials authorize more field trials of transgenic crops.

PARIS -- The French Ministry of Agriculture has authorized another eight field trials of genetically modified crops in 2002, although only three of the applicants have so far gone ahead with experimental plantings. Ali involve GM strains of corn.

Altogether, taking into account ongoing, multiyear trials, there are a total of 43 plots of land at 34 locations around France planted with experimental GM crops, an Agriculture Ministry official told BioWorld International. More than 30 of them are planted with GM corn, while there are two rapeseed trials under way, as well as one each of potato, …