On Tuesday German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner announced that the only genetically modified crop Germany allowed to be grown, MON 810 maize would be banned from cultivation.

Germany has allowed the strain to be grown since 2005, but Aigner said she has concluded the crop poses a threat to the environment. Because of this decision MON 810 will not be allowed to be planted in Germany this season.

Germany becomes the sixth European Union country to ban the corn, joining France, Austria, Hungary, Luxembourg, and Greece. Attempts to overturn those bans have been made by the European Commission, but without success. The European Food Safety Authority has approved the crop as safe, and potential trade disputes over the ban is a concern to the commisison.