European Commission gives ‘green light’ to import of 4 genetically modified varieties

The European Commission (EC) has announced that it has approved the import of four genetically modified varieties, three of corn and one of cotton, for food and animal feed. According to the European entity's communication, the authorisations will be valid for 10 years and have already been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (EU). The communication also states that the authorisations were granted on 8 October to two genetically modified corn varieties, while the other two are renewals of authorisations for a corn variety and a cotton variety, both for food and animal feed. The four varieties underwent a “comprehensive and rigorous” authorisation procedure, stresses the EC, including a favourable scientific evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The authorisation and renewal decisions apply to import and processing for food and animal feed, but do not include production in the EU. The European Commission also stressed that all products will be ...