Renewed authorisation of certain GM oilseed rape varieties
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EU renews authorisation of GM oilseed rape varieties Ms8, Rf3, and Ms8 × Rf3
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/389 of 26 January 2024 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2024) 432)
Update
The EU has renewed the approval of foods, food ingredients, and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape Ms8, Rf3, and Ms8 × Rf3. These approvals do not allow the cultivation of this GM oilseed rape in the EU.
What is changing?
This Decision allows non-EU countries to continue to export GM oilseed rape varieties Ms8, Rf3, and Ms8 × Rf3, as food, food ingredients, and feed to the EU.
These GM oilseed rape varieties may not be grown in the EU. Feed and other products – but not food/food ingredients containing these oilseed rape varieties – must be clearly labelled that they are “not for cultivation”. Further information on use, labelling, and methods of detection can be found in Annex.
Why?
The reapproval of these oilseed rape varieties follows an evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which concluded that they are safe for human and animal health, and for the environment. There are also no nutritional concerns associated with consuming these products (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 oilseed rapes 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 oilseed rapes, the Commission is permitted to authorise these products in the light of EFSA’s positive risk assessment.
Resources
EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (2023) Scientific Opinion on the assessment of genetically modified oilseed rape MS8, RF3 and MS8 x RF3 for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-RX-024). EFSA Journal, 21(4): 7934.
Commission Implementing Decision 2013/327/EU authorising the placing on the market of food and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rapes Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1301 amending Implementing Decision 2013/327/EU as regards the renewal of the authorisation to place on the market feed containing or consisting of genetically modified oilseed rapes Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3
Commission Decision 2007/232/EC concerning the placing on the market, in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of oilseed rape products (Brassica napus L., lines Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8xRf3) genetically modified for tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium
Sources
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/389 renewing the authorisation for the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 × Rf3