More EU uncertainty over GM maize authorisations

EU government experts reached an inconclusive verdict on Thursday in a vote on European commission proposals to allow imports of the genetically modified GA21 maize variety (EED 13/01/06).  Ministers now have three months to make a decision, failing which the commission will approve the authorisation unilaterally.  Meanwhile governments backed plans to relax EU measures to prevent unauthorised imports of the GM rice LL601 from the US (EED 08/11/06).  And France has announced plans to ban the GM maize MON810.  See press releases from the commission and the French government.