Import and processing of genetically modified maize Bt11xMIR162xMIR604xMON89034x5307xGA21 and sub-combinations
- The present application (EFSA/GMO/DE/2018/149) concerns the authorisation for import and processing for use in feed and food of genetically modified (GM) maize Bt11xMIR162xMIR604xMON89034x5307xGA21 and its sub-combinations;
- Maize Bt11xMIR162xMIR604xMON89034x5307xGA21 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 Bt11xMIR162xMIR604xMON89034x5307xGA21 has been updated and is adequate;
- The updated bioinformatics analysis does not provide indications for potential environmental risks;
- The GM maize expresses the genes cry1Ab, vip3Aa20, mcry3A, cry1A.105, cry2Ab2, ecry3.1Ab, pat, mepsps, pmi and mir604pmi;
- It is resistant to several 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 Bt11xMIR162xMIR604x MON89034x5307xGA21 to survive in the Netherlands;
- There are no indications that Bt11xMIR162xMIR604xMON89034x5307xGA21 could establish feral populations in the Netherlands;
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize Bt11xMIR162x MIR604xMON89034x5307xGA21 and its sub-combinations pose 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.