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Advice on the renewal of import and processing of GM cotton MON15985

Advisory reports | 28.08.2024 | CGM/240828-02

COGEM was requested to advise on the environmental risks associated with the renewal of the authorization for import of genetically modified (GM) cotton MON15985 for use in food and feed. This GM cotton expresses the cry1Ac and cry2Ab2 genes, both of which confer resistance to Lepidopteran pests. In addition, MON15985 cotton contains the nptII and uidA marker genes, which allow easy selection of transformed cotton cells.
The Dutch climate is not suitable for growing cotton and cotton plants cannot survive. There are also no wild relatives of cotton in North West Europe. Thus, the inserted sequences from cotton line MON15985 cannot spread to other species.
The application for renewal of the authorization for import of GM cotton MON15985 contains among others updated bioinformatic analyses, a systematic literature search and annual monitoring reports. The updated analyses and monitoring reports do not give any indication of a potential environmental risk. No publications were identified in the literature review that would invalidate the conclusions of the previous risk assessment.
COGEM is of the opinion that renewal of the authorization for import and processing of cotton MON15985 poses a negligible risk to the Dutch environment. COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption, as a food/feed assessment is carried out by other organisations.

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