Commission approves GM maize for human consumption

Monsanto’s NK603 maize can now be used for human as well as
animal consumption. This decision does not, however, include an
authorisation to cultivate the plant in the EU.

Foods and food ingredients derived from the genetically modified
maize NK603 can be placed on the market in the EU, the Commission
decided on 26 October 2004. This maize variety, which has been
modified to tolerate a herbicide and is produced by US firm
Monsanto, has already been approved for import and use as animal
feed (see EURACTIV 20 July 2004).

The main applications for this maize are likely to be animal
starch, oil, maize gluten and maize meal for humans and animals.
According to the new EU GMO legislation, which came into force in
April 2004, any product containing the maize will have to be
clearly labelled.

As with several other GM products, the Commission took the
decision to authorise the maize after the Council failed
to either reject or approve it. However, no authorisation
has been given to grow the crop in the EU.

“During my time as Commissioner, we put in place a clear and
strict system for the authorisation and labelling of GMOs, based on
clear scientific advice. We are now seeing the system work in
practice. The clear labelling system guarantees consumers what they
have asked for: the information they need so that they can choose
whether or not to buy any genetically modified products,” said
David Byrne, Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner.

Environmental groups have condemned the Commission’s decision,
saying that it put “corporate America before public safety and
democracy”. 

“This is a shameful final act by the out-going European
Commission. 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. One
wonders why?” said Geert Ritsema from Friends of the Earth.

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