Renewal of the authorisation for import and processing of GM cotton MON88913

COGEM was requested to advise on the environmental risks associated with the renewal of the authorization for import of genetically modified (GM) cotton MON88913 for use in food and feed. This GM cotton expresses two cp4 epsps genes which confer tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicides.
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 MON88913 cannot spread to other species.
The application for renewal of the authorization for import of GM cotton MON88913 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 MON88913 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.