BRUSSELS, Belgium: Agriculture ministers from 10 EU countries yesterday blocked approval of three genetically-modified varieties of maize for use on the European market.

The products had been given the all-clear by the EU’s food safety authority, EFSA, which said they would not have adverse effects on health or the environment.

Diplomats said Austria, Malta, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg voted against, while France and Italy abstained, ensuring a deadlock. Britain, Germany, The Netherlands and Sweden led the group of biotech crop supporters.

The failure to reach agreement means it will be left to the EU’s executive commission to approve the three products, which it is expected to do in the coming weeks.

The products are designed to resist insects like the corn rootworm and be tolerant to herbicides. All three products are meant to be used in food and animal feed production but not for cultivation in the EU. (AP)