Italy on Friday banned the cultivation of a genetically modified (GM) corn seed made by US company Monsanto, citing environmental concerns.

The agriculture ministry said Italian and European scientific studies had found that the insect-resistant MON810 seed could harm biodiversity, possibly posing a threat to “aquatic organisms.”

Farming lobby Coldiretti backed the government decision, noting that a poll it commissioned in June showed that 76 per cent of Italians oppose GM crops, DPA reported.

Several other European countries — including France, Germany and Poland — have prohibited MON810, even though such national bans are controversial, since the European Union has yet to decide whether to renew an existing authorisation for the seed.