Maize – Photo © Rebel – Fotolia
(BRUSSELS) – The European Commission authorised on Friday the use of a genetically modified maize, and renewed the authorisation of two genetically modified oilseed rapes, as food and animal feed.
The Commission says the authorisations follow the EU’s comprehensive and stringent food safety procedures, which ensure a high level of protection of human, animal and environmental health.
They follow a favourable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which concluded that the crops are as safe as their conventional counterparts.
EU Member States did not reach a qualified majority (in favour or against the authorisation) at the Standing Committee and at the subsequent Appeal Committee, following which the Commission has a legal obligation to take a decision on the crops.
The EU executive stresses that its decisions do not allow cultivation of these crops in the EU, but only their imports into the EU from third- countries. and only for use as food and animal feed.
The authorisations are valid for 10 years, and any product that is produced on the basis of these crops will be subject to the EU’s strict labelling and traceability rules.
