European Commission authorizes seven genetically engineered crops for EU imports

The European Commission authorized or renewed approvals for seven genetically engineered crops in June and September 2026, according to a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service report. The measures cover four soybean events and three maize events and allow their use in food and animal feed following favorable scientific assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The approvals include soybean MON 94637; maize DP202216 × NK603 × DAS-40278-9; renewals for maize NK603 × T25, soybean MON 87705 and maize MON 87460; and approvals for soybean GMB151 × DAS-44406-6 and MON 94313. The authorizations apply to imports and processing, not cultivation, and are valid for 10 years. Products must comply with the EU’s labeling and traceability requirements.

The decisions followed the EU’s authorization process after member states failed to reach qualified majorities either for or against the crops in the relevant committees. All seven votes resulted in “no opinion,” with member states citing factors including public opposition, the precautionary principle, scientific concerns and political considerations. Austria specifically objected to the renewal of maize MON 87460 over its retention of an antibiotic resistance marker gene.

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service