PDT BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Commission on Wednesday gave clearance for U.S. biotechmology company Monsanto Co. to sell a genetically modified rapeseed in the European Union for use in animal feed.

The 10-year license granted by the EU head office does not give Monsanto the right to sell the herbicide-resistant product known as variant GT73 for cultivation or for human food uses in the region, however.

The product was deemed by the European Food Safety Authority to be as safe as conventional oilseed in a scientific evaluation made last year.

The EU authorization includes guidelines agreed with Monsanto on how to deal with accidental spills of the product. GT73 is grown in the United States, Australia and Canada. It is allowed for sale in those countries, plus Japan, the Philippines and South Korea.

Wednesday's approval is the second this month for Monsanto, which is based in St. Louis. The Commission gave its clearance Aug. 8 for the import of a genetically modified corn product made by Monsanto, also for use in animal feed.

The Commission cleared the import of both products after the EU's 25 member states failed to make a decision on the issue. Under new EU rules, the commission has authority to decide on clearing new biotech crops if member states reach a stalemate.

The EU ended a six-year moratorium on accepting applications for new genetically modified foods in May 2004, under strict approval procedures and labeling regulations, but several EU nations remain reluctant to authorize biotech crops because of public health and environmental concerns.