Authorisation: genetically modified soybean A5547-127

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/415 of 22 February 2023 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean A5547-127 (ACS-GMØØ6-4) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2023) 1126) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance)

Update

The EU has renewed the authorisation allowing placement on the EU market of foods, ingredients and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified (GM) soybean A5547-127. The authorisation does not cover cultivation in the EU.

Impacted Products

soybean

What is changing?

This Decision permits the ongoing sale on the EU market of food, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from glufosinate-tolerant GM soybean line A5547-127. The use, labelling and methods of detection of this GM soybean remain unchanged under the renewed authorisation (2023/415, Annex I). Cultivation of GM soybean A5547-127 is not permitted in the EU.

Why?

GM soybean A5547-127 was originally authorised for placement on the EU market in 2012, and a renewal was required. EFSA (2022) concluded that there was no evidence of any new hazards or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of the original risk assessment.

Timeline

The EU authorisation for GM soybean A5547-127 will remain valid for 10 years.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

Suppliers of food containing or consisting of GM soybean A5547-127 have legal security for another 10 years to continue the export of these products to the EU market.

Background

A list of all authorised GM products can be found on the EU Register of authorised GMOs.

The authorisation of GM crops remains an extremely sensitive political issue in the EU. The authorisation process normally requires EU Member States to authorise or reject applications. In recent years, there has generally not been enough political support (a “qualified majority” of Member States) to reach a decision to either authorise or reject applications. In such cases, as here for GM soybean A5547-127, the Commission is permitted to authorise the product in the light of EFSA’s positive risk assessment.

Resources

Sources