January 26, 2016

EC withdraws authorisation of 4 GM corn crops

The European Commission withdrew on Friday (Jan. 22) the authorisation of four GM (genetically modified) crops for food and feed uses, namely MON863 corn, MON863xMON810xNK603 corn, MON863xMON810 corn and MON863xNK603 corn.

"These GMOs [genetically modified organisms] have not been cultivated worldwide since 2011 and their commercial phase-out is completed, therefore the company has asked for their withdrawal", the EC said in a news release.

Last December, the ECapproved two GM corn crops for food and feed uses, namely MON87427 corn and NK603xT25 corn.

The EU grants extra powers to its 28 member states to ban the cultivation of GM crops in their respective territories even if these have been approved by European Food Safety Authority, or EFSA.