30/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - Genetically-modified soya and maize soon to be authorised. The European Commission is soon to approve the sale for animal and human consumption of three new varieties of genetically-modified soya and one variety of maize, following failure to reach a qualified majority for or against these authorisations at the meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, on Tuesday 23 May. The varieties concerned are: soya 305423 (Pioneer), MON 87705 (Monsanto) and BPS-CV127-9 (BASF) and the maize T25 (Bayer). A second vote (the outcome of which is likely to be the same) will take place in the committee of appeal within the next month. On 28 May, the EU countries agreed on an authorisation mechanism for the cultivation of GMOs which will allow member states to ban cultivation within their borders (see EUROPE 11090). (LC)