Austria declares moratorium on importation of transgenic rapeseed

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Published: 04/24/2006 - Updated: 04/21/2019

• Author: Prof. Dr. Luis Ruiz-García

The European Commission has approved the importation and placing on the European market for this type of rape for industrial processing and animal feed.

Austrian Health authorities have declared a moratorium until the end of 2008 for the importation of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73. The European Commission has also authorized the import and placing on the European market for this type of transgenic rapeseed. The authorization of the Community executive, valid for ten years, is limited to the specific use and import into livestock feed or industrial processing, but not for cultivation or use for food and, according to a press release.

The moratorium in Austria for the import and sale of the product is valid until December 31st, 2008, when it will be re-weigh the scientific information about this product.

For its part, the EU executive in its authorization talked about importation of GM canola, developed by the U.S. multinational Monsanto, the condition that bear "any adverse effect on health or the environment if of an accidental release of such product”.

GT73 variety has been genetically manipulated to resist herbicide "glyphosate", and is used particularly in the manufacture of oils.

• Prof. Dr. Luis Ruiz-García

  PhD in Agricultural Engineering. He is an expert in Medicinal Plants, Organic Agriculture, Urban Agriculture and Environment. Google Scholar. Linkedin.