News Releases

No. 3/06
January 13, 2006

GMOs: EUROPEAN COMMISSION AUTHORIZES THREE MAIZE TYPES FOR MARKETING IN THE EU

The European Commission today authorized the placing on the market of three genetically modified maize lines. Two of these, GA21 and MON863, were authorized for use as food and food ingredients. The third, MON863x810, was authorized for import and industrial processing. In line with EU labeling and traceability rules, the three maize types and any product containing them will have to indicate clearly that they have been genetically modified. The Commission’s decisions follow after the Council of the EU did not reach a qualified majority either to approve or reject proposals for the authorization of these GMOs. In such a case, the Commission has to adopt a decision. The authorizations will remain valid for ten years, and they result from applications submitted by the producer company, Monsanto. GA21 maize is genetically modified to be tolerant of “Roundup-Ready” herbicide, thus improving weed management and crop production, while MON863 is modified to have resistance against corn root borer, a beetle which can cause severe damage to maize crops. MON863x810 has been made resistant to corn rootworm and certain other pests. The three GM maize crops are not authorized for cultivation in the EU. GA21 and MON863 are the last two GM foods to be authorized under the Novel Food Regulation (258/97), which, since 18 April 2004, has been replaced by Regulation 1829/2003 for GM food and feed. MON863x810 is the fourth GM line to be authorized under Directive 2001/18 on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment.

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