In an interview with the Independent, environment minister Michael Meacher says he is "sceptical" about the benefits of genetically modified products and says the government will not be "bounced" into any decisions by American pressure.

The chief executive of biotech firm Monsanto, Hendrik Verfaillie, has told the FT it could be 2005 before Europe gives regulatory approval for GM products.

Meanwhile, the Mail reports on "mutant pollen" being spread by GM trial crops that flowered unexpectedly.

Speaking in Poland the Pope warned against "playing God" with the new technology.

"[Humanity] claims for himself the creator's right to interfere in the mystery of human life. He wishes to determine human life in genetic manipulation and to establish the limit of death," said the Pontiff.