Brussels, 19.07.2004 (Agence Europe) - EU Member State Agriculture Ministers were unable on Monday in Brussels to reach a stance on marketing approval for the genetically modified line of maize, NK 603, produced by the US company, Monsanto. In accordance with the rules of “comitology”, it is the European Commission that is responsible for giving authorisation for such products to be placed on the market. Clearance will take effect from the second half of the month of October. Out of the delegations that stated their position, only Belgium voted in favour. Denmark, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Austria voted against, while three countries (Germany, Estonia and Hungary) abstained.
On Monday in Strasbourg, the Commission immediately decided to authorise imports of NK 603 maize for the purposes of animal feed. This second request by Monsanto was recently examined by the Environment Council which was also unable to rally a qualified majority either for or against.