The European Union has postponed a vote on whether to allow imports of a type of genetically modified maize made by US biotech giant Monsanto.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


“It is a postponement because several member states wanted more clarification. There will be another meeting when they have more information,” an official at the European Commission was quoted by Reuters as saying. “There wasn’t a formal vote and not enough for or against.”


EU environment experts were meeting to vote on Monsanto’s application, but failed to reach a decision on the MON 863 maize. Once a vote is taken, a qualified majority is needed to either approve or reject an application. If the voting is too close, the application could pass to ministers, who would then have three months to agree before passing the decision back to the European Commission.


Monsanto’s application for MON 863 maize is for use as animal feed, rather than for cultivation or human food, reported Reuters.


The EU has already ended its unofficial ban on GM foods with the approval of another type of GM maize.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now