EU Commission: New genetically modified soybean authorised in the EU

(05 December 2008) Last week the EU Commission has authorised the import of the genetically modified RoundupReady2 soybean as well as food and feed products derived from it. With immediate effect, traces of technically unavoidable admixtures of this GM soybean will be approved in agricultural imports.

As was the case with all previous EU authorisations, the Member States again blocked each other. Voting in the "Standing Committee" and in the Council of Ministers led to no qualified majority being reached – either for or against authorisation of RoundupReady2 soybeans. In such cases it is foreseen that the Commission then makes a decision. The Commission followed the safety evaluation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which found that products from this type of GM soybean are just as safe as those from comparable conventional soybeans.

Developed by Monsanto, the new MON89788 GM soybean is tolerant to the herbicide Roundup. It is to be cultivated on a large-scale in the US starting in 2009. A quick market penetration is expected, since this new variety delivers significantly higher yields than the RoundupReady soybean, which has been in use since 1996. It is expected that some 2.5 million hectares will be planted with RoundupReady2 soybeans by 2010.

The decision for RoundupReady2 soybeans means that from 2009 all GM soybeans grown in the US are approved for import into the EU. Another herbicide tolerant GM soybean, developed by Bayer CropScience (A2704-12) already received import authorisation last September. Accidental, technically unavoidable admixtures from these GM soybeans may be present in food and feed in quantities up to 0.9 percent without having to be labelled.

All other non-EU authorised GM crops still come under "zero tolerance": absolutely no traces of them are permitted in imports. The EU Commission and France, which currently holds the Presidency of the EU Council, hope that the expedited authorisation of the RoundupReady2 soybean will stave off feared shortfalls in animal feed supplies.

See also on GMO-Compass:

• GMO Compass Database: Soybean
• Global Cultivation Area: Soybean

Further information:

• Commission authorises a GM soybean