Genetic maize crop approved but Irish farmers not interested
Through genetic engineering, the maize seeds have been made resistant to insects that pose little problem in temperate countries like Ireland.
“It will be clearly labelled as GM maize to allow farmers a choice,” said the EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, Mr David Byrne.
The maize has been listed in the national seed catalogue for France since 1998, but has not been grown there. However, Spanish farmers have a large acreage under this maize crop, genetically engineered to be resistant to the corn borer pest.
Having once led world opposition to genetically-modified agriculture, the EU is, for the first time, allowing a GM crop to be planted throughout its territory - a move of great symbolic significance to GM opponents and to some consumers.
Under pressure from the US, Canada and others - who have taken the issue to the Geneva-based World Trade Organisation - Brussels has inched towards allowing GM products on the EU market.
Now, genetically modified NK603 maize has been authorised for both food and feed in the EU.
However, it must be grown and harvested outside the EU - unlike the GM maize grown in Spain and now allowed in other member states.
To explain this apparent contradiction, the European Commission points out that each GM authorisation is granted on its own merits.
NK603 maize and derived products such as starch, oil, maize gluten feed and maize meal can now go on the EU market for human food and animal feed uses.
The maize and any product containing must be clearly identified as having been genetically modified. NK603 maize has been modified to make it tolerant to glyphosate weedkiller.
Meanwhile, the current European Commission will soon end its term of office without agreeing new GM labelling guidelines.
Despite three years of discussions, a threshold level for traces of authorised GM crops in seed - which must be indicated by special labels - has not been agreed.
