The European Commission granted approval on Thursday for the use of transgenic crops including soybeans, rapeseed, and cotton in the food and animal feed sectors. This move is part of the bloc’s strategy to safeguard its food supply and stabilize markets amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The authorization applies to imports of genetically modified products rather than cultivation within the European Community. Officials stated that these crops have completed a rigorous authorization process and received a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority, confirming their suitability for use in the EU’s food and feed chains.
Legal authorization from the Commission is valid for ten years. Products derived from these transgenic crops will be subject to strict labeling and traceability rules to ensure clear identification and consumer information across the union.
The decision aims to reinforce food security in the EU while mitigating price pressures on the food industry. The context remains sensitive due to disruptions caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has affected global cereals supplies to the Community market and intensified concerns about reliable food pathways.
Agri-food cooperatives in Spain reported this month that, pending the Black Sea supply normalisation, grain imports—especially corn—from the United States, Argentina, and other producing countries are being authorised to meet daily consumption needs estimated around one hundred thousand tons.
Spanish cooperatives also recalled Ukraine’s substantial role in supplying cereals to Spain. Over the past six years, Ukraine has exported billions of tons of corn to the country, with recent years showing exports peaking near four million tons per year and historically contributing roughly a third of Spain’s corn requirements. In this evolving landscape, the imported GM crops are framed as part of a broader strategy to stabilize the supply chain and price levels while international shipping conditions adjust and markets adapt.