Import and processing of GM maize MON89034 x 1507 x MON88017 x 59122 x DAS-40278-9
- The present application (EFSA/GMO/NL/2013/113) concerns the authorisation for import and processing for use in feed and food of genetically modified (GM) maize MON89034x1507xMON88017x59122xDAS-40278-9 and GM maize consisting of sub-combinations of the parental GM maize lines;
- Maize MON89034x1507xMON88017x59122xDAS-40278-9 was produced by conventional crossbreeding of the five GM parental maize lines;
- COGEM advised positively on the import and processing of all five parental lines;
- The molecular characterisation of MON89034x1507xMON88017x59122xDAS-40278-9 has been updated and meets the criteria of COGEM;
- The updated molecular characterisation does not provide indications for potential environmental risks;
- The GM line expresses the genes cry1A.105, cry2Ab2, cry1F, cry3Bb1, cry34Ab1 and cry35Ab1 conferring tolerance to certain lepidopteran and coleopteran insects, and the genes pat, cp4-epsps and aad-1 genes conferring tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium, aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) and auxin acting herbicides;
- In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed and the appearance of volunteers is rare;
- Wild relatives of maize in the Netherlands have never been observed and hybridisation of maize with other species is therefore not possible;
- There are no indications that the introduced traits allow MON89034x1507xMON88017x 59122xDAS‑40278-9 to survive in the Netherlands;
- There are no indications that MON87427xMON87460xMON89034 xMIR162xNK603 could establish feral populations in the Netherlands
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize MON89034x1507x MON88017x59122xDAS-40278-9 and GM maize consisting of sub-combinations of its parental GM maize line 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.