On Friday 26 January, the European Commission announced that it had authorised the use of a genetically modified maize and renewed the authorisation of two genetically modified oilseed rape crops as food and animal feed.
These are maize Bt11 x MIR162 x MIR604 x MON89034 x 5307 x GA21 and sub-combinations and oilseed rape Ms8, Rf3 and MS8 x Rf3 and GT73.
“These authorisations are based on a favourable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which concluded that these crops are as safe as their conventional counterparts”, said the Commission in its press release.
In mid-December, the European Parliament opposed the market authorisation in the EU for maize and the renewal of the authorisation for glufosinate-resistant Ms8,Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3 hybrid oilseed rape (see EUROPE 13314/25). For their part, the Member States failed to reach a qualified majority (for or against authorisation) in the Standing Committee and the subsequent Appeal Committee, giving the European Commission a legal obligation to take a decision on these crops.
The Commission’s decisions do not authorise the cultivation of these genetically modified maize and oilseed rape varieties in the EU, but only their import into the EU from third countries for use in food and animal feed. The authorisations are valid for 10 years, and any products made from these crops will be subject to the EU’s strict labelling and traceability rules. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)