The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has cleared the way for the European Union to legalise the sale of a genetically modified Monsanto maize variety that has been engineered to resist certain pests, especially rootworm.

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EFSA said that maize MON 863 “is as safe as conventional maize….and is unlikely to have an adverse effect on human or animal health, or on the environment…”.


However, the agency could not reach a conclusion on the safety of another Monsanto maize product, MON 863xMON 810, and its specialist panel has called for further studies prior to EFSA making a final judgment. This strain is also pest resistant, but can also fight off certain winged corn borers.

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