10th November 2004
EC APPROVES ANOTHER GM MAIZE VARIETY
Discuss this itemShare your views with other visitors, and read what they have to say
On 26 October the EC approved Monsanto’s Roundup Ready Maize NK-603 for human consumption and placing on the market. The maize variety, which is tolerant to Monsanto’s herbicide glyphosate (”Roundup”), is the second genetically modified (GM) product authorised for food use in the EC since the de facto moratorium on GMO approvals effectively ended in May (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 28 May 2004). The decision by the European Commission to put the maize on the market, though not to cultivate it domestically, follows a decision in July to allow the variety to be imported for animal feed, and in August to allow it to be imported and processed. The EC authorisation met with hostility from consumer and environmental groups across the continent. Geert Ritsema, GMO campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe, said, “despite scientific disagreements over its safety and huge public rejection the Commission decided instead to put the interests of corporate America before the safety of Europeans”. Monsanto, on the other hand, applauded the EC decision.
For a detailed account of the approval, see BRIDGES Trade BioRes 3 November 2004.
“Genetically modified NK603 maize authorised for both food and feed,” EU, 26 October 2004; “WTO Panel Announces Further Delay In Decision on EU’s GMO Restrictions,” WTO REPORTER, 8 November 2004.
Add a comment
Enter your details and a comment below, then click Submit Comment. We’ll review and publish the best comments.