In addition, a number of dossiers of applications for the European Union authorisation of release and placing on the market of genetically modified seed were analysed.
For all of the industry hype around biotech products, virtually all planted genetically modified seed is for only four products -- soy, corn, cotton and canola -- with just two engineered traits.
Vermont is requiring that genetically modified seeds be labeled, becoming the first state to do so.
In addition, some countries still say modified seeds are unsafe, invoking the so-called scientific exception.
The genetically modified seeds were found in low levels, ranging from 0.05percentto1percentcent.
European customers have reportedly already started asking for Brazilian soybeans because modified seeds are illegal there.
Europe has been shaken by some cases this year in which genetically modified seeds were planted by farmers who thought they were growing nonmodified crops.
Shiva contends that modified seeds were created almost exclusively to serve large industrial farms, and there is some truth to that.
Because the modified seeds are used so widely, bollworms may develop a resistance to the toxins, he explained.
Genetically modified seeds are approved case by case, and once the European Commission has approved a seed for planting, the only legal reason that a country can enforce a ban is if "new scientific evidence" shows it would be harmful.
