The European Union has approved three biotech soybean traits for import and processing. They include Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend and Vistive Gold high oleic soybeans and Bayer Crop Science’s Balance GT soybeans. Minnesota Soybean Growers Association President Theresia Gillie says they’re pleased the E.U. has approved the traits.
She says they’d like to see more timely approval of biotech traits in the EU in the future, but isn’t optimistic it will happen.
Gillie says these approvals give growers more tools to battle resistant weeds and she’s now hoping the EPA follows up by approving the in-crop use of dicamba on Xtend beans.
The three soybean traits had received positive scientific opinions from the European Food Safety Agency over a year ago and had been waiting for final approval by the EU Commission since January.
