The European Commission (EC) has approved one genetically modified (GM) soyabean and one GM oilseed rape variety for use in food and animal feed in the EU.
The authorisations – valid for 10 years - apply to food and feed for import and processing but do not cover cultivation, according to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agricultural Information Network report on 1 March.
They cover products containing, consisting of, or produced from the Bayer CorpScience GM MON 94100 oilseed rape variety, and the BASF GM A5547-127 soyabean, which was previously authorised for import and processing in 2012 and came up for renewal as EC authorisations are only valid for 10 years.
“These two crops have gone through a comprehensive and stringent authorisation procedure, including a favourable scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),” the USDA report said. “All products will be subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules.
“This is the first group of GE approvals for export to the EU that the Commission has approved in 2023.”
The authorisations were granted on 22 February and published in the EU’s Official Journal on 24 February.
