The European Union has authorised imports of a genetically modified (GM) maize type for sale across its 27 national markets for the next 10 years, European Commission officials said on Friday. The maize, known by its codename GA21, is marketed by Swiss agrochemicals company Syngenta and will be used in food and animal feed, not for growing in Europe's fields.
EU law allows for rubberstamp GMO authorisations when ministers cannot agree after a certain time. Since 2004, the European Commission has approved a series of GM imports - nearly all maize - in this way, outraging green groups. In February, EU farm ministers were unable to reach a consensus agreement that would allow imports of five separate biotech products, one of which was GA21 maize. EU approval of GA21 maize is of particular interest to grain traders in Spain, and also Portugal, since until now, the GM strain has only been permitted for import in processed form.
Spain's growing demand for grain for use in feed is mainly focused on maize. The EU's approval allows GA21 imports as grain and those shipments are expected to come into EU markets mainly from Argentina, a major GM crop grower.
"We welcome today's decision from the European Commission. Clearly it's good that we have GA21 approval. It makes it easier for grain traders in Argentina, Canada and the United States to export," Medard Schoenmaeckers, head of media relations at Syngenta International, said by telephone from Switzerland. "It's encouraging as it shows the EU is open again for these GM varieties, with current high food prices and a rise in demand," he said.