(BRUSSELS) - A total freeze on commercial genetically modified crops, such as France may be considering, is not allowed under EU rules, the European Commission said Friday.

"A general ban is not possible" for an EU state or region, said Barbara Helfferich, spokeswoman for EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

Without being drawn on the plans being drawn up in Paris, she said "we would have to look at the exact details of the proposition."

The French newspaper Le Monde reported Thursday that France was planning a freeze on GM crops, which cover less than one percent of farmland in Europe's top agricultural producer.

According to the paper, the government is preparing to announce a halt to sales of GM seeds at a national conference on the environment taking place next month, involving farmers, business and advocacy groups.

French cereal farmers accused their government of "caving in" to public opinion, which is extremely hostile to GM crops, an issue kept in the headlines by high-profile anti-GM activists such as the farmer Jose Bove.

The French government on Friday said that no decision had been taken on the matter.

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