Brussels, 25/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - Once again, experts from EU member states failed on Wednesday 25 February in Brussels to obtain a qualified majority needed to approve or reject Commission proposals to authorise crops of genetically modified maize. Bt 11 maize made by the Swiss Syngenta company and 1507 notified by Pioneer, are both genetically modified to resist pesticides and have already been authorised in the EU for human and animal consumption. They were voted on at a regulatory committee on directive 2001/18/EC (voluntary spreading of genetically modified organisms in the environment). Bolstered by favourable opinions granted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Commission will approach the Council with the two dossiers. If ministers from the 27 fail to give a decision in the next three months, due to committee procedures in force, the Commission will have to decide alone. (A.N./transl.rh)