The Commission of the European Community has approved for the first time since 1998 the commercialisation of a new GM variety, Sygentas insect killing Bt 11 maize. The decision was taken after EU ministers could not agree on the approval and despite safety concerns of national food authorities.</p><p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4107497,00.html">Guardian: EU Head Office Ends Ban on Biotech Crops</a></p><p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=2JYBKDFUM51SCCRBAE0CFFA?type=scienceNews&storyID=5189503">Reuters: EU Lifts Five-Year Biotech Ban, Approves New Maize</a></p><p><a href="http://www.saverourseeds.org/downloads/background_bt11.rtf">background briefing: Votes, scientific assessment etc.</a>