BRUSSELS - The European Commission on Friday authorised the marketing of a new type of genetically modified (GMO) maize, known as pioneer line 1507, despite a deadlock among EU member states.

"The authorisation means that this maize type will now be allowed to be marketed in the EU as food, food ingredients or derived products, such as oil and starch," Commission spokesman for health and consumer protection Philip Tod told a briefing. "In line with EU labelling and traceability rules, any product containing it will have to clearly indicate its genetically modified nature," he said.

The executive Commission was forced to make the decision after European Union member states failed to reach agreement on the issue in December. The maize is jointly made by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a subsidiary of DuPont Co, and Dow AgroSciences unit Mycogen Seeds. The 1507 maize is modified to resist certain insects and herbicides and would not be for cultivation, although Pioneer/Mycogen have also requested this use under a separate application still pending in the EU authorisation process.

In March 2005, the European Food Safety Authority said it was safe to grow the maize, while in November it was given the green light to be used in animal feed. GMOs have become a thorny issue for the EU with the World Trade Organization ruling last month that the 25-member bloc and specifically six member states had broken trade rules by barring entry to genetically modified crops and foods.

The countries named in the report were France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Luxembourg and Greece.

Countries bristled at the ruling that touches on national sovereignty with some saying they would do their level best to keep farming GMO-free. European environment ministers will hold a public hearing on the subject when they meet in Brussels on Thursday next week. Top of the agenda will be the way in which the EU's 25 countries make decisions on GMOs. Ministers currently must decide by qualified majority. However, next week's hearing will discuss the possibility of reaching a decision by simple majority. - Reuters