BRUSSELS, Jan 13: The European Commission gave the green light Friday for three genetically modified maize lines to be brought to market in the European Union.

The three maize types, which are produced by US company Monsanto, have to be imported because the approval does not cover their cultivation.

Two of the strains, known as GA21 and MON863, are for use as food and food ingredients, and the third, MON863x810, is for industrial processing, mainly into animal feed.

In line with EU labelling and traceability rules, the three maize types and any product containing them will have to clearly indicate that they have been genetically modified.

EU countries are deeply divided over GMOs and have failed in the past to agree on which varieties should be allowed in the EU.

By default, the commission decides on which GMO products can be imported into the 25-nation bloc on recommendations from the European Food Safety Authority.

With the three types of maize approved Friday, nine GMO products have been approved for the EU market since authorisation resumed in May 2004, a commission spokesman said.

Austria, which holds the EU’s presidency until July and is one of the fiercest opponents against GMOs, is planning on holding a conference in April on the sensitive issue.—AFP