Brussels, 10/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - The representatives of the member states, meeting within the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health of the EU on 10 October, failed to take position on proposals for the authorisation of four genetically modified organisms. Being discussed were a genetically modified variety of potato developed by the company BASF for animal feed (EUROPE 9519) and three varieties of genetically-modified maize developed by Monsanto (the hybrid maize varieties Mon863xNK603, Mon 863xMon810 and Mon863xMon810xNK603), which are designed for both human and animal consumption, for import and processing, but not to be grown.
For none of these products did the standing committee manage to assemble the qualified majority required to approve or reject the authorisation proposal submitted by the European Commission, on the basis of the favourable opinions returned by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA). The Commission will now refer the matter to the Council, which will have three months to come to a decision, by qualified majority. If the Council also fails to take position, the Commission will be entitled to take the decision itself.
It is worth noting that the fate of an authorisation procedure for another application of the BASF genetically-modified potato - as a crop potato this time - is currently pending a decision of the Commission, blocked by the opposition of Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas. (an)