Germany has announced that it plans to ban the only genetically modified strain of corn grown in the European Union. This is a big punch in the face to the American “corn” manufacturer, Monsanto, who has been under the microscope lately due to concerns about their heavily genetically modified crops. This also increases trade tensions between the EU the United States.

The German Minisiter of Agriculture, Ilse Aigner, said that the move was intended to protect the health and safety of consumers and the environment. Aigner stressed however, that this particular ban would not represent a total ban on genetically modified crops.

“My decision is not a political decision, it’s a decision based on the facts,” Ms. Aigner said. “I have come to the conclusion that there is a justifiable reason to believe that genetically modified maize of the type MON 810 presents a danger to the environment.”