EU Commission approved six Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Soybean, rapeseed, maize and cotton: new GMOs in the food and feed area
June 2022. The EU Commission approved six genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on 31 April 2022 as well as two GMOs on 19 May 2022. These are five new approvals for the use of GMOs as food and feed and one renewed approval, also for food and feed. On the other hand, for one genetically modified soybean, the authorization expired on 9 February 2022, without an application for renewal under Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003.
These GMOs received an approval
The decisions for the new authorisations were published in the EU Official Journal number L 105 of 4 April 2022[1] and L141 of 20 May 2022[2], and the decision for the renewed authorisation was published in the EU Official Journal L 108 of 7 April, 2022[3].
In particular, the following GMOs were newly approved[4,5,6,7,8]:
- Soybean: GMB151 (BCS-GM151-6), MON87769 x MON89788 (MON-87769-7 x MON-89788-1)
- Rapeseed: 73496 (DP-Ø73496-4)
- Maize: NK603 x T25 x DAS-40278-9 (MON-ØØ6Ø3-6 x ACS-ZMØØ3-2 x DAS-4Ø278-9) and its sub-combination T25 x DAS-40278-9 (ACS-ZMØØ3-2 x DAS-4Ø278-9)
- Cotton: GHB811 (BCS-GH811-4)
The renewed authorisation concerns the genetically modified cotton GHB614 (BCS-GHØØ2-5).
Scope and framework for commercial use
The authorisation and renewal decisions apply to food and feed for import and processing, but do not cover cultivation. They are each valid for a period of ten years. As for all GMOs approved in the EU, these GMOs will be subject to mandatory labeling in food and feed after approval.
Approval for a GM soybean expired – what to consider now
On the other hand, the GM soybean 356043-5 (DP-356Ø43-5) is no longer approved. Its approval expired on 9 February 2022 without an application for renewal having been submitted.
According to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, GMOs shall not be placed on the market in the EU if they do not have a valid authorisation. Thus, food containing DP-356Ø43-5 soybean is subject to zero tolerance after the EU approval has expired. Feed containing DP-356Ø43-5 soy falls under the scope of Regulation (EU) No 619/2011 and is marketable if the DP-356Ø43-5 soy content is below 0.1%. Feed with a DP-356Ø43-5 soy content ≥ 0.1% is not marketable.
Advice and analysis by our GMO experts
Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information. Our expert Ulf Rathjens will be happy to answer your questions about the current GMO approval situation and recommended analysis strategies for your products. Alternatively, you can always contact your personal account manager. We look forward to your enquiry.
Relevant Souces
[1] Official Journal of the European Union No L 105, as of 4 April 2022
[2] Official Journal of the European Union No L 141, as of 20 May 2022
[3] Official Journal of the European Union No L 108, as of 7 April 2022
[4] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/531 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean GMB151 (BCS-GM151-6)
[5] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/529 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape 73496 (DP-Ø73496-4)
[6] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/798 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87769 × MON 89788
[7] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/797 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize NK603 × T25 × DAS-40278-9 and its sub-combination T25 × DAS-40278-9
[8] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/530 of 31 March 2022 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified cotton GHB811 (BCS-GH811-4)
