Import and processing of genetically modified maize Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x1507x5307xGA21

The present application (EFSA/GMO/DE/2011/103) concerns the authorisation for import and processing for use in feed and food of genetically modified (GM) maize Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x1507x5307xGA21 and GM maize consisting of sub-combinations of the parental GM maize lines;
Maize Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x1507x5307xGA21 was produced by conventional crossbreeding of the six GM parental maize lines;

• Previously, COGEM advised positively on the import and processing of all six parental lines;
• The molecular characterisation of Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x1507x5307xGA21  has been updated and meets the criteria of COGEM;
• The updated molecular characterisation does not provide indications for potential environmental risks;
• The GM maize expresses the genes cry1Ab, vip3Aa20, mcry3A, cry1F, ecry3.1Ab, pat, mepsps and pmi;
• It is resistant to certain lepidopteran and coleopteran insects, tolerant to glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium containing herbicides, and able to use mannose as a carbon source;
• In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed and the appearance of volunteers is rare;
• In the Netherlands, wild relatives of maize are absent and hybridisation of maize with other species is therefore not possible;
• There are no indications that the introduced traits allow Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x1507x 5307xGA21 to survive in the Netherlands;
• There are no indications that Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x1507x5307xGA21 could establish feral populations in the Netherlands;
• COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x 1507x5307xGA21, and GM maize consisting of sub-combinations of its parental GM maize lines poses a negligible risk to the environment in the Netherlands;
• COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption since a food/feed assessment is carried out by other organisations.