European Commission authorizes 17 GMOs

The European Commission today adopted 10 new authorizations for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for food and feed use, seven renewals of existing authorizations, and the authorization for the importation of two GMO cut flowers.

These GMOs have gone through a full authorization procedure, including a favorable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The approved GMOs had "no opinion" votes from member states in both the Standing and Appeal Committees because no qualified majority either in favor or against was expressed.

The GMO's adopted today include:
• Ten new authorizations: MON 87460 maize, MON 87705 soybean, MON 87708 soybean, MON 87769 soybean, 305423 soybean, BPS-CV127-9 soybean, MON 88302, oilseed rape, T304-40 cotton, MON 88913 cotton, LLCotton25xGHB614 cotton. 
• Seven renewals: T25 maize, NK603 maize, GT73 oilseed rape, MON 531 x MON 1445 cotton, MON 15985 cotton; MON 531 cotton and MON 1445 cotton. 
• Two GM cut flowers (carnations line IFD-25958-3 and line IFD-26407-2).

The authorizations are valid for 10 years, and any products produced from these GMOs will be subject to the European Union's (E.U.) labeling and traceability rules. All approved GMOs were proven to be safe before their placing on the E.U. market. The EFSA in collaboration with member states for each individual GMO completed risk assessments prior to the GMOs being placed on the market.

The GMO food and feed authorizations will be added to the existing list of 58 GMOs authorized in the E.U. for food and feed uses.