HAMBURG, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Germany will abstain in an upcoming European Union vote to approve cultivation of genetically modified maize of type 1507, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.
The European Commission proposed in November that governments approve only the third ever genetically modified crop for cultivation in Europe and a vote is expected on Tuesday next week.
The proposal covers an insect-resistant maize developed jointly by DuPont and Dow Chemical which, if approved, would end Monsanto's current monopoly in Europe's tiny market for GMO crops.
German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "The German government has agreed to abstain in the vote on the approval of this GMO maize of type 1507."
"It is normal procedure to abstain on a dossier where there are different opinions within the government on the matter."
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