Food Standards Australia New Zealand has changed the food safety code
following an application from Monsanto to sell GM corn for animal feed.
It is the first time the code has been amended to approve a
genetically-engineered animal feedstock for human consumption.

Corn line LY038 has been engineered to have high levels of the amino
acid, lysine, in combination with high levels of sugar up to four times the
amount found in conventional sweet corn.

When fed to livestock it speeds growth and muscle development.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand spokeswoman Lydia Buchtmann says
Monsanto's application met all necessary safety requirements

"We're very rigorous in our safety assessments and in fact we're
renowned around the world for how well we do them," she said.

But a storm is brewing on both sides of the Tasman over the GM corn's
approval for human consumption.

Greenpeace alleges Monsanto wanted the code changed because it expects
the GM animal feedstock to end up in the human food chain.

And in New Zealand, Food Safety Minister Annette King says she is
holding off on her final approval while she seeks further advice.


[www.abc.net.au]