The European Commission has approved the first genetically modified seeds for sale across the European Union.
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“The European Commission has approved the inscription of 17 varieties derived from MON 810 maize in the Common EU Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plant Species. This maize has been authorised under the EU GM legislation since 1998,” the Commission said.
The Common Catalogue is compiled on the basis of the national catalogues of the Member States. Once a variety of seed is properly inscribed in a national catalogue, the Commission is informed and is required to inscribe the variety in the Common Catalogue by publication in the Official Journal. Seed varieties in the Common Catalogue can be marketed in the entire EU.
“The inscription in the EU Seed Catalogue is a logical step as the EU regulatory framework on GMOs is now up to date. The maize has been thoroughly assessed to be safe for human health and environment. It has been grown in Spain for years without any known problems. It will be clearly labelled as GM maize to allow farmers a choice,” said David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection.
However, the Commission has not made a decision on a proposal to set maximum levels of GMO material in seeds. An EU official said the proposal had been withdrawn because “it was not mature yet”, reported Reuters.
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By GlobalDataThe proposal could mandate that seeds containing more than 0.3% GM material would have to be labelled as such.
Separately, the Commission said it has adopted a proposal to be sent to the Council of Ministers to authorise the import and processing of the genetically modified oilseed rape known as GT73.
The oilseed rape has been modified for increased tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate. The Council can either adopt or reject the proposal with a qualified majority. If no decision is taken after three months, the file returns to the Commission, which can then adopt it. Refined oil from the GT73 oilseed rape is authorised for human consumption in the EU since 1997 under the Novel Foods Regulation.
