Renewal of the authorisation for import and processing of genetically modified maize NK603
- The present application (GMFF-2023-21250) concerns the renewal of the authorisation for import and processing for use in feed and food of genetically modified (GM) maize NK603;
- NK603 was previously authorised for import and processing in 2015;
- NK603 expresses the cp4 epsps and cp4 epsps L214P genes, conferring tolerance to glyphosate containing herbicides;
- In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed and the appearance of volunteers – maize not deliberately planted – is rare;
- In the Netherlands, the wild relative of maize (teosinte) is not present in nature, therefore hybridisation of GM maize with other species is not possible;
- The molecular characterisation of NK603 has been updated and meets the criteria of COGEM;
- The updated bioinformatic analyses, the literature review and post-market environmental monitoring reports do not provide indications that import of NK603 poses a risk to the environment;
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize NK603 poses a negligible risk to the environment in the Netherlands;
- COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption since other organisations carry out a food/feed assessment.