Advice Environmental risk assessment of import and processing of modified maize Bt11 x MIR162 x 1507 x NK603 and its subcombinations
- The present application (GMFF-2024-22091) concerns the authorisation of genetically modified (GM) maize Bt11 x MIR162 x 1507 x NK603 and its subcombinations for import and processing for use in feed and food;
- The stacked event maize Bt11 x MIR162 x 1507 x NK603 was produced by conventional crossbreeding of the four GM parental maize lines;
- Previously, COGEM has advised positively on the import and processing of all four parental lines.
- The GM maize expresses the cry1Ab, cry1F and vip3Aa20 genes, which each code for proteins conferring resistance against certain lepidopteran pests. Furthermore, the GM maize expresses the cp4 epsps gene and two copies of the pat gene, which encode proteins conferring tolerance to glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium containing herbicides, respectively. Lastly, it expresses the pmi gene, which encodes a protein that enables cells to utilise mannose as a primary carbon source. This trait was used as a selectable marker in de development of the maize line.
- In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed and the appearance of volunteer maize plants is rare. Additionally, the wild relative of maize, teosinte is not present in the Dutch environment. Hybridisation of GM maize with other species is therefore not possible.
- The molecular characterisation of Bt11 x MIR162 x 1507 x NK603 has been updated and meets the criteria of COGEM;
- The updated bioinformatic analysis did not provide indications of potential environmental risks.
- There are no indications that the introduced traits allow the stacked event maize Bt11 x MIR162 x 1507 x NK603 to survive in the Netherlands;
- There are no indications that Bt11 x MIR162 x 1507 x NK603 could establish feral populations in the Netherlands.
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize Bt11 x MIR162 x 1507 x NK603, as well as GM maize consisting of subcombinations of its parental GM maize lines, pose a negligible risk to the environment in the Netherlands;
- COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption, as a food/feed assessment is carried out by other organisations.