Brussels, 02/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Friday, the Environment Council failed once more to get together the qualified majority required to approve or reject the Commission's proposal to authorise sales within the EU of the genetically modified hybrid maize MON 863X MON 810, which is produced by the American group Monsanto. Certain delegations have changed their position since their vote at the competent regulatory committee- Germany, which had abstained when Jürgen Trittin was still in his post, voted in favour: according to the new Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, "there are no objections to be made to this maize, which is destined neither to be grown, nor used for human consumption, nor for animal consumption, but for purposes such as the production of biomass"; Poland, which had abstained, voted against, as did Denmark, but this failed to swing the balance either way. With a simple majority against the authorisation (14 votes against, eight in favour and three abstentions), the dossier will return to the table of the Commission, which intends to authorise the product as soon as possible.