EU fails to approve GM soybean variety

The soybean, a second-generation GM product known by
its code number MON 89788, is designed to resist glyphosate Roundup Ready
herbicides and also produce increased yields for farmers.

Monsanto’s
application for EU approval is for use in food and feed, not for cultivation in
Europe’s fields. Europe’s livestock and feed manufacturing industries have a
keen interest in the EU authorizing more soybean imports since they depend
heavily on shipments of soy products — beans, meal — as a source of
protein-rich and high-quality feed.

After Monday’s inconclusive vote by
the national EU experts, the application will now be sent to ministers for
discussion. However, if the ministers disagree after three months and fail to
muster enough consensus under the EU’s weighted voting system either to approve
or reject the application, the European Commission — the EU executive — will
issue a default approval.