Renewed authorisation of certain genetically modified maize varieties

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/391 of 26 January 2024 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × MON 89034 × 5307 × GA21 and thirty sub-combinations, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Update

The EU has renewed the approval of foods, food ingredients, and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified (GM) maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × MON 89034 × 5307 × GA21 and 30 sub-combinations. These approvals do not allow the cultivation of these GM maize varieties in the EU.

Impacted Products

maize

What is changing?

This Decision allows non-EU countries to continue to export GM maize varieties Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × MON 89034 × 5307 × GA21 and 30 sub-combinations as food, food ingredients, and feed to the EU.

These GM maize varieties may not be grown in the EU. Feed and other products – but not food/food ingredients – must be clearly labelled that they are “not for cultivation”. Further information on use, labelling, and methods of detection can be found in the Annex to the Decision.

Why?

The reapproval of these maize varieties is based on favourable opinions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluding that these GM maizes are safe for human and animal health, as well as the environment. There are also no nutritional concerns associated with consuming these GM maizes (EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms 2023).

Timeline

This Decision applies for a period of 10 years.

What are the major implications for exporting countries?

Suppliers of food or feed containing or consisting of these GM maizes 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 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 maizes, the Commission is permitted to authorise these products in the light of EFSA’s positive risk assessment.

Resources

Sources

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Regulation

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/391 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × MON 89034 × 5307 × GA21 and thirty sub-combinations

What is changing and why?

This Decision allows non-EU countries to export to the EU the following genetically modified (GM) maize varieties or food/feed products containing them: Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × MON 89034 × 5307 × GA21, and 30 sub-combinations.

These maize varieties cannot be grown in the EU, and any of these maize products – except food/food ingredients – sent to the EU must be labelled “not for cultivation”. There are no safety or nutritional concerns associated with consuming these GM maizes.

Timeline

This Decision applies for a period of 10 years.

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