EU authorises four GM crops for use as food, animal feed

The European Commission has authorised three genetically modified crops – one soybean, one oilseed rape and one cotton – and renewed the authorisation for one genetically modified cotton crop used for food and animal feed.

All of these genetically modified crops have gone through a comprehensive and stringent authorisation procedure, including a favourable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The authorisation decisions do not cover cultivation but only the import of the above-mentioned GM crops. Member States did not reach a qualified majority either in favour or against at the Standing Committee and at the subsequent Appeal Committee. The European Commission has therefore the legal duty to proceed with the authorisations.

The authorisations are valid for 10 years, and any product produced from these GMs will be subject to the EU’s strict labelling and traceability rules.

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Tags: cotton, authorised, genetically modified crops, oilseed rape, EFSA, soybean, European Commission, food, animal feed