Germany to ban cultivation of GMO maize-Minister

BERLIN/HAMBURG, April 14 (Reuters) - Germany is to ban cultivation and sale of maize with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), German Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner said on Tuesday.

The ban affects MON 810 maize which may no longer be sown for this summer's harvest, Aigner told a news conference.

Aigner, who took office in October 2008, said previously she would review approval for cultivation of GMO maize in Germany before this year's sowing took place in late April.

MON 810 maize, developed and marketed by U.S. biotech company Monsanto (MON.N), is the only GM crop that may be commercially grown in the EU after the bloc ruled that it is safe.

Several other European Union countries including France have banned GMO maize cultivation in the face of EU approvals. But the bans are controversial and face action from the EU Commission to get them lifted. (Reporting by Thorsten Severin and Michael Hogan; Editing by James Jukwey)