Earlier today the EU Agriculture Council of Ministers was unable to reach agreement on the import and processing of 1507 maize (1), including animal feed use in the European Union. 

The product is already approved in 12 other countries around the world and meets all the EU’s regulatory requirements, including three positive safety opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for all its intended uses in the EU.

While again some Member States have failed to vote according to the positive scientific opinion by EFSA, it is heartening to note that in Council more Member States voted positively for approving 1507 maize than when this dossier was reviewed by the Regulatory Committee in May this year.

“We hope that more Member States will recognise the benefits of GMOs for Europe’s agriculture, for the environment and for the Developing World and evaluate them scientifically on a case by case basis.” stated Simon Barber, Director of the Plant Biotechnology Unit at EuropaBio, the EU Association for bioindustries (3). “Denmark was one of the Member States responsible for the moratorium and by dropping its blanket opposition to GMOs, has demonstrated its support for EU regulations and of the benefits of GMOs.”

1507 maize is genetically modified with a Bt gene, making it resistant to certain insect pests and was jointly developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. and Dow AgroSciences. 

(1) Updated fact sheet:
http://www.europabio.org/articles/Background%20Briefing_maize1507_Update%20Sept%202005.doc

EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, has 50 direct members operating worldwide and 25 national biotechnology associations representing some 1500 small and medium sized enterprises involved in research and development, testing, manufacturing and distribution of biotechnology products.