EU Grants Import Approval for Monsanto, Bayer GM Soybeans

On July 22, the European Commission granted import approval for Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® genetically modified soybean variety soybeans, which allows for the import of the crop for food and feed in the European Union. The Commission also approved Bayer CropScience soybean variety. The authorizations, which cover Monsanto's soybean MON 87708 x MON 89788 and soybean MON 87705 x MON 89788 and soybean FG 72 of Bayer's CropScience division, will be valid for 10 years.

The European Commission’s approval follows Monsanto’s February announcement of Chinese import approval. With both the EU and Chinese import approvals and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the final stages of review for over-the-top use. According to Monsanto, a full U.S. launch of Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans, which are designed to tolerate applications of glyphosate and dicamba weed killers, will be in 2017. The company anticipates it will supply around 15 million U.S. soybean acres when the selling season arrives.

A full launch also is planned for Canadian soybean growers in 2017, given the previous Canadian regulatory approval for Roundup Xtend with VaporGrip Technology and XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip Technology. According to a statement from the European Commission, "Any products produced from these GMOs will be subject to the EU's strict labeling and traceability rules."

Here in the United States, GMOs have been a hotly debate issue. On July 29, President Obama signed into law a bill that requires USDA to adopt a standard within two years requiring foods to disclose the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The more than century-old Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) said the law stops immediately a controversial state GMO-labeling law: Vermont’s Act 120, which has only been in effect for one month.

Looking for more on GMO labeling and consumer expectations? Join us for the GMOs: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities panel discussion on Thursday, Oct. 6, at SupplySide West 2016.