November 15, 2008

EU may soon approve GM soy variety

The European Commission will transmit to the council a proposal to authorise a genetically-modified soy.

The proposal was presented to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) for the authorisation of GM soy MON89788 or RoundupReady2 soy, for import and processing for feed and food uses.

The authorisation will help prevent soy supply shortages in the EU livestock industry. The proposal was tabled after an application from US biotechnology company Monsanto and a favourable scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The EFSA, after addressing all safety concerns, concluded that the product poses no risk to human, animal health and to the environment.

The EU's stance on GM grains may continue to weaken as more countries switch to GM crop farming, leading to the contraction of non-GM crop supply.

Member states did not support the proposal during a meeting of the SCoFCAH.