The European Commission decided, on 30 November, to authorise genetically modified (GM) maize MIR604, from Syngenta Seeds S.A.S., for food and feed uses and import and processing. The MIR604 maize received a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). As member states failed to return a qualified majority decision for or against this authorisation in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and then at the 20 November Agriculture Council, the dossier was sent back to the Commission for adoption. The authorisation is valid for ten years, and any products produced from MIR604 maize will be subject to the EU’s labelling and traceability rules. Further information is available at ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/index_en.htm