EU Commission authorised GM maize SmartStax for food and feed

The EU Commission recently authorised the genetically engineered maize SmartStax for food and feed. SmartStax maize is genetically engineered to produce six insecticidal proteins and is resistant to two herbicides. The risk assessment was performed by Monsanto, DowAgroSciences and the European Food Safety Authority, (EFSA).

Together with SmartStax and another maize called Powercore which were authorised, a total of 49 genetically engineered events have so far been authorised in the EU for usage in food and feed. Nearly all of them produce insecticidal proteins and/ or are resistant to herbicides. Genetically engineered soybeans are the most important crop for import. EU food producers do in general avoid products from genetically engineered plants, but large amounts are used in animal feed.

The Commission also decided to send genetically engineered maize from Pioneer (technical name 1507) for a vote to the Council of the Member States. Industry is pushing to allow this maize for cultivation in the EU. It is commercialised by Dupont/Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences. The maize is made resistant to herbicide glufosinate and is producing an insecticidal protein. This maize was also used for the development of SmartStax.