22/01/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission decided on Friday 22 January to authorise, for ten years in the EU, eight Monsanto/Bayer hybrid GMO varieties for food and feed use, which are highly controversial because of their tolerance to glyphosate. This includes maize (MON 87427 x MON 89034 x MIR162 x NK603), (MON 87427 x MON 87460 x MON 89034 x MIR162 x NK603), (MON 87427 x MON 89034 x MIR162 x MON 87411) and soybeans (SYHT0H2) and (MON 87751 x MON 87701 x MON 87708 x MON 89788). The authorisation renewals concern MIR604, MON 88017 and MON 89034 maize. EU Member States were unable to reach the qualified majority required to approve or reject these authorisations. The Commission decided on the basis of favourable opinions from the EFSA. The European Parliament’s objections are not legally binding. (AN)