On Tuesday 17 August, the European Commission authorised seven GM crops (3 maize, 2 soybean, 1 rapeseed and 1 cotton) in the European Union, and renewed the authorisations for two other genetically modified organisms (1 maize and 1 rapeseed) used for food and feed.
Valid for a period of ten years, these authorisations take the form of implementing acts pursuant to EU Regulation 182/2011.
While this regulation gives EU Member States the power to oppose an implementing act, the countries did not reach a qualified majority either for or against the authorisations.
Instead, they took a “no opinion” position, a recurrent situation since the entry into force of the Regulation on GM food and feed (1829/2003).
In the absence of an EU Council position, the Commission followed the favourable assessment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It also stressed that “any product obtained from these genetically modified organisms will be subject to the EU’s strict labelling and traceability rules”. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)