European Commission authorises GM maize GA21

The European Commission today adopted a Decision authorising the GM maize GA21 for feed and food use and for import and processing. In fact, the placing on the market of food and feed produced from GA21 is already authorised in the EU.

Today's Decision extends the authorisation of products derived from GA21 to maize grains and thus allows imports from third countries where this GMO is cultivated. GA21 is not approved for cultivation in the EU. GA21 maize received a positive safety assessment from EFSA and underwent the full authorisation procedure set out under EU legislation. As Member States did not reach a qualified majority for or against this authorisation in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, and then in the Council. The proposal was therefore sent back to the Commission for decision.

The authorisation is valid for 10 years, and any products produced from this GMO will be subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules.