Brussels, 31/08/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 31 August, the European Commission decided to authorise the importation and sales of the genetically modified rapeseed GT73 produced by Monsanto, solely for its use for purposes of animal feed or industrial treatment. This is the third authorisation granted by the Commission under directive 2001/18 on the dissemination of GMOs, further to the decision of 8 August (Monsanto's genetically modified maize MON 863 to be used for processing to be used in animal feed) and of July 2004 (genetically modified maize NK603 to be used for treatment in animal feed).
In December 2004, the environment ministers of the Member States of the EU failed to reach a qualified majority to approve or reject authorisation to import Monsanto's rapeseed GT73, which has been genetically modified to resist the herbicide glyphosate, leaving the way clear for the Commission to reach a last-resort decision (EUROPE 8853). GT73 received a favourable opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in March 2004.