The European Commission has authorised a genetically modified (GM) soybean for use in food and animal feed.

This follows the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) scientific assessment concluding that it is as safe as its conventional counterpart.

According to the commission, this GM soybean has undergone a comprehensive and stringent assessment procedure ensuring a high level of protection of human and animal health, and of the environment.

The commission's decision only allows this GM soybean to be imported for use in food and animal feed, but not to be cultivated in the EU, it said.

The authorisation is valid for 10 years, and any product produced from this GM soybean is subject to the EU's strict labelling and traceability rules.

The commission had a legal obligation to decide on this authorisation after member states did not reach a qualified majority either in favour or against the authorisation.

In recent times, it has become possible to modify the genetic make-up of living cells and organisms using techniques of modern biotechnology called gene technology, the commission explained.

The genetic material is modified artificially to give it a new property, such as a plant's resistance to a disease, insect or drought, or a plant's tolerance to a herbicide, improving a food's quality or nutritional value, or increased yield.

Such organisms are called genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Food and feed which contain or consist of such GMOs, or are produced from GMOs, are called "GM food or feed".