Whether genetically engineered food crops will ever be grown in Europe has become a very real question for the biotechnology industry. For instance, there is an indefinite delay on the registration of Plant Genetic Systems' genetically modified, herbicide resistant oilseed rape, which would have been the first such crop to be grown commercially in the UK.Plant Genetics Systems had hoped to see it planted this spring, but in November, the French government introduced a moratorium on all genetically engineered crops to allow for a public debate about their safety and desirability. France, which is responsible for European Union approval of using the oilseed rape crops in food, is now holding up the procedure.