Biotech Updates

European Commission Transmits Proposal to Authorize RoundupReady2

October 3, 2008

The European Commission will transmit to the European Council a proposal to authorize Monsanto’s RoundupReady2 GM soybean for import and processing and food and feed uses after Member States did not endorse it during a meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH).

The Commission tabled the proposal following an application submitted by Monsanto and a favorable scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which addressed all safety concerns. EFSA concluded that following its intended use, RoundupReady2 is as safe as its non-GM counterparts with respect to potential effects on human and animal health or the environment.

If the Council does not reach a position within three months, the proposal will be sent back to the Commission for final adoption.

The press release is available at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEX/08/0930&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en For more information, visit http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm