12/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The French agriculture and fisheries minister Michel Barnier signed a law on Friday 8 February suspending the growing in France of MON 801 genetically modified maize varieties produced by US company Monsanto. In parallel, the French authorities notified activation of the safeguard clause in EU legislation to the European Commission. The Commission has 60 working days to decide whether the issue should be sent to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) or whether France's request should be rejected. If a decision cannot be reached, the EU farm ministers will have to decide. EU member states are divided on the issue of GMOs and therefore the countries making use of the safeguard clause always win. The Commission may also decide to wait until a new MON 801 assessment report is published in October 2008.