Biotech Updates

EFSA's Science-based Renewed Approval of Herbicide Tolerant Soybean Cultivation

June 29, 2012

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its scientific opinion for cultivation of genetically modified (GM) soybean 40-3-2 resistant to glyphosate herbicide. EFSA's GMO Panel Scientific Opinion considered that the GM soybean on its renewal application "is unlikely to raise additional environmental harm under certain conditions."

The Panel further recommended the use of glyphosate on the GM soybean following ways that will result in similar or reduced environmental impacts compared with conventional soybean cultivation. The Panel also recommended the deployment of case-specific monitoring to address: (1) changes in weed community diversity; and (2) the evolution of resistance to glyphosate in weeds due to changes in herbicide and cutivation regimes.

The news release can be seen at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2753.htm.