Commission Midday Express, 25 June 2007
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today voted on a Commission proposal to authorise the genetically modified maize 59122 (also called Herculex RW). However, the Committee returned no definitive decision either for or against the proposed authorisation. As a result, the Commission must now transmit the dossier to Council. If the Council does not reach a position within 3 months, the proposal is sent back to the Commission for final adoption. Herculex RW received positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 2 April 2007. Therefore, in line with the application submitted by the company, the Commission is proposing to authorise the marketing of products containing, consisting of or produced from this GMO for food and feed and for import and processing (but not for cultivation). The authorisation would be valid for a 10 year period. Any products produced from this GM maize would be subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules for GMOs.