EU approves three GM maize lines
On 13 January, the European Commission authorised the use of three genetically modified (GMO) maize lines. Of the three, two (GA21 and MON863), can now be used as food and food ingredients, while the third (MON863x810) can now be used for import and industrial processing. None of these maize lines have been licensed for growing in the EU. The ruling follows the ending of the six-year moratorium on genetically modified products by the EU in May 2004. The decisions on these products bring the total number of genetically modified strains approved under the EU to nine. All three types of maize must only be used in line with EU labelling and traceability rules, so that any product containing them will have to clearly state that is contains genetically modified ingredients. Monsanto welcomed the EU's decision, and Ernesto Fajardo, Monsanto's vice president of US crop production said: 'These decisions are great news for the more than 200 seed companies and tens of thousands of US farmers who plant biotech-enhanced corn hybrids.' Eric Gall, GMO policy adviser for Greenpeace, said that he is still extremely concerned that production of such maize strains will 'contaminate' organic strains, and that, 'Greenpeace is particularly concerned about the safety of MON863 maize, which triggered health problems in rats.' The Commission's decision was made following applications submitted by the producer of the maize, Monsanto. GA21 maize is tolerant of the weedkiller Roundup, MON863 is modified to be resistant to the corn root borer pest and MON863x810 is modified to be resistant to corn rootworm and certain other pests. GA21 and MON863 are the last two GMOs to be authorised under the Novel Food Regulation (258/97), which, since 18 April 2004, has been replaced by Regulation 1829/2003 for genetically modified food and feed. MON863x810 is the fourth GM line to be authorised under Directive 2001/18 on the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment. The Commission said its ruling came after the Council failed to reach a majority either way. In this case, the authorisations will be valid for ten years.