The European Commission has adopted a proposal to be sent to the Council of Ministers on the autorisation of the GM maize MON863.

The autorisation would cover the import and use as animal feed of MON863 but not use as human food or cultivation.

The maize has been genetically modified for resistance to corn rootworm. It has been deemed as safe as any conventional maize by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

If authorised, the maize would be clearly labelled as containing GM maize.

The Regulatory Committee, which is set up under Directive 2001/18/EC and representing the Member States, did not reach the qualified majority necessary to support the Commission proposal to authorise MON863.

Thus, according to EU comitology procedures, the file must now be passed on to the Council, who can either adopt or reject the proposal with a qualified majority.

If no decision is taken after three months, the file returns to the Commission who may then decide to adopt it.