(Finance) – Today the European Commission authorized the use of a genetically modified corn and renewed the authorization of dand genetically modified rapeseedsas food and feed for animals. These permissions follow pcomprehensive and rigorous EU food safety procedures, which guarantee a high level of protection of human, animal and environmental health.
They are based on one favorable scientific evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which concluded that these crops are as safe as their conventional counterparts. The Commission had a legal obligation to take a decision on these crops, as Member States did not reach a qualified majority (for or against authorisation) in the Standing Committee and the subsequent appeal committee.
The decisions of the EU Commission do not allow the cultivation of these crops in the EU, but only their importation into the EU from third countries, exclusively for use as food and animal feed. Authorizations are valid for 10 years and any products produced based on these crops will be subject to strict EU rules on labeling and traceability.