September 22, 2005

EU fails to reach consensus regarding approval of GM corn

The EU Agriculture Council has failed to reach a consensus regarding the approval of Pioneer Hi-Bred International's GM corn, known as 1507, for import, processing and feed use in the EU.

Pioneer's 1507 corn was developed for protection against specific pests such as the European corn borer. It was also tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate. The product was reportedly approved in 12 countries worldwide already.

The European Food Safety Authority had also earlier concluded that Pioneer's 1507 corn would not have an adverse effect on human and animal health in the context of its proposed use.

Meanwhile, the European biotechnology industry expressed disappointment at the council's failure to reach a consensus on such an authorisation.