European Commission allows certain GM corn imports for feed

The European Commission (EC) has authorized two genetically modified (GM) corn crops and renewed the authorization for another for human food and animal feed.

The Commission’s authorization decisions only allow the GM corn to be imported for use in food and animal feed, but not to be cultivated in the EU. The crops have gone through a comprehensive and stringent assessment procedure, which ensures a high level of protection of human and animal health, and of the environment, the EC said on its website. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a favorable scientific assessment concluding that these genetically modified corn are as safe as their conventional counterparts.

The authorizations are valid for 10 years, and any product produced from these genetically modified crops will be subject to the EU’s strict labeling and traceability rules. The commission had a legal obligation to decide on these authorizations after member states did not reach a qualified majority either in favor of or against the authorization at the Standing Committee and at the subsequent Appeal Committee.

Tags: animal feed, GM corn, genetically modified corn, human food, EU, European Commission