BRUSSELS, March 10 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Tuesday authorized a genetically modified (GM) type of oilseed rape, allowing the resumption of imports from Canada.

    The approved oilseed rape, called T45, is allowed for food and animal feed and import and processing in the European Union (EU). No authorization was given for planting in the EU.

    "The authorization of this GM oilseed rape is important as it will allow the resumption of imports of oilseed rape in the EU from Canada," said the commission, the executive body of the EU, in a statement.

    T45 oilseed rape received a positive safety assessment from the European Food Safety Authority and underwent the full authorization procedure set out in the EU legislation, it said.

    The authorization is valid for 10 years.

    The issue was returned to the European Commission for a decision after EU member states failed to reach agreement on either approval or disapproval.