Authorisation of three genetically modified soybeans: MON 87705, MON 87708, MON 89788

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1321 of 4 July 2025 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Update

The European Union (EU) has authorised the use of the following genetically modified soybean varieties:

• MON 87705
• MON 87708
• MON 89788.

All three authorisations concern use of these genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food, food ingredients, feed, and products for any other uses except for cultivation.

Impacted Products

Products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybeans MON 87705, MON 87708, MON 89788

What is changing?

The EU has authorised the use of three genetically modified (GM) soybeans: MON 87705, MON 87708, and MON 89788.

All three authorisations concern use of these GMOs in food, food ingredients, feed, and products for any other uses (except for cultivation). This soybean may not be grown in the EU.

These soybeans can only be sold by Bayer CropScience LP, represented in the EU by Bayer Agriculture BV.

Products other than food and food ingredients containing these soybean varieties must be clearly labelled “not for cultivation”.

Why?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2020, 2024) has concluded that these GMOs are safe under the applicant’s proposed conditions of use.

Timeline

These authorisations are valid for a period of 10 years (until 6 July 2035).

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

Suppliers of food or feed containing or consisting of these GM soybeans have long-term legal security for the export of these products to the EU market.

Background

A list of all authorised GM products can be found on the European Commission’s GMO register.

The authorisation or rejection of GM crops normally requires sufficient support from EU Member States (a qualified majority). In recent years there has generally been insufficient support to reach a decision to either authorise or reject applications. In such cases, as here for GM soybeans, the Commission is permitted to authorise these products if EFSA has given positive feedback.

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