December 11, 2015
EC approves 2 GM corn varieties for food, feed uses
The European Commission has adopted two more genetically modified (GM) crops for food and feed uses, namely MON87427 corn and NK603xT25 corn.
The EC said the GM corn varieties had gone through the different steps of the authorisation procedure and received a favourable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The risk assessment was done by EFSA in collaboration with member states.
The GMOs, approved on Dec. 4, had received "no opinion" votes from the member states in both the Standing and Appeal committees. The authorisations are valid for 10 years, and any products produced from these GMOs will be subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules, the EC said, adding that the authorisation decisions do not cover cultivation on EUterritory.
Earlier last month, the European Parliament rejected a draft law that would enable any European Union member state to restrict or prohibit the sale and use of EU-approved GM food or feed on its territory.
Early this year, however, the EU adopted a new giving its 28 member states extra powers to ban the cultivation of GM crops in their respective territories even if these have been approved by EFSA.