Introductory Note to Coreper on the Proposed Council Decision Authorising the Placing on the Market of GM Maize Line NK 603

Brussels, 09 Jul 2004

Full text of Document 11247/04
Suite of documents 11247/04

No. Cion prop.: 11068/04
Subject: Proposal for a Council Decision authorising the placing on the market of foods and food ingredients derived from genetically modified maize line NK 603 as novel foods or novel food ingredients under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council

1. On 25 November 2003, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) delivered its opinion that NK 603 maize is as safe as conventional maize and is therefore unlikely to have an adverse effect on human and animal health and on the environment if it is placed on the market as a novel food or novel food ingredient.

2. On 30 April 2004, the Commission submitted to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain a draft Decision authorising for ten years the placing on the market of foods and food ingredients derived from maize line NK 603. However, the Committee failed to deliver, by qualified majority, an opinion on the draft.

3. Consequently, on 28 June 2004, the Commission submitted to the Council the abovementioned proposal, the Council having three months in which to act by a qualified majority1.

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