March 31, 2004

EU Seeks Approval For Monsanto's GM Corn

The European Commission has approved another proposal to allow imports of Monsanto Co.'s genetically modified corn, and submitted it for approval from the European Council of Ministers, according to published reports.

The ministers now have three months to consider a proposal to allow imports of Monsanto's NK603 maize, genetically modified to resist the glyphosate herbicide.

In February, a committee of European Union countries failed to make a decision to allow imports of Monsanto's Roundup Ready corn. In December, the committee failed to agree on a similar proposal to allow imports of Syngenta's genetically modified corn.

If the committee fails to reach a decision again, the European Commission may approve the corn variety, ending a six-year ban on genetically modified crops in the European Union.

The European Food Safety Authority approved the safety of the corn in December and earlier this month approved Monsanto's genetically modified rapeseed, or canola.