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Food Law

Food Law News - EU - 2010

Council Press Release, 29 June 2010

GMOs - Council Discussions: Authorisation of six genetically modified maize varieties for food and feed

The following is an extract from the minutes of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting:

Proposals for decisions authorizing the use of six genetically modified maize varieties in food and feed, but excluding cultivation of them, have been presented to the Council for adoption. No agreement in favour or against the authorisations was reached.

Following the submission of initial applications for authorisation of these genetically modified varieties the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was initially consulted, as provided for by regulation 1829/2003, and issued favourable scientific opinions. On this basis, the European Commission drew up proposals for authorising these varieties, which were presented to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH). At its meetings on 9 February and 19 April 2010, the SCoFCAH was unable to achieve the qualified majority necessary to deliver an opinion for or against the authorisation measures proposed by the Commission. In the absence of an opinion it was up to the Council to act on the Commission proposals within a three month period.

Today, the Council noted that there was not qualified majority in favour or against the following 6 proposals:

The Council having concluded its proceedings on this issue, the Commission is now entitled to finalise the decision-making procedure on all the proposals.