Advice on the renewal of import and processing of GM maize Bt11 × 59122 × MIR604 × 1507 × GA21 and its subcombinations

The COGEM has been requested to advise on the renewal of the authorisation for the import of the genetically modified (GM) maize line Bt11 × 59122 × MIR604 × 1507 × GA21 and its subcombinations. The original authorisation was granted in 2017 for a period of ten years. This maize line expresses the genes Cry1Ab, Cry34Ab1, Cry35Ab1, mCry3A, Cry1F, mepsps and pat, which confer increased resistance to insect feeding and tolerance to certain herbicides. In addition, the GM maize contains the pmi gene, which serves as a selectable marker.

The renewal application includes, among other elements, updated bioinformatic analyses, a literature review, and the results of the mandatory post-market environmental monitoring that has been conducted since 2017. In the Netherlands, no feral maize populations are present. The wild relative of maize, teosinte, does not occur in the Netherlands either in natural habitats or on agricultural land. The submitted information does not reveal any indications of potential risks to human health or the environment.

In view of the above, COGEM concludes that the risks associated with the import and processing of the GM maize line Bt11 × 59122 × MIR604 × 1507 × GA21 for human health and the environment are negligibly small. As the assessment of food safety is undertaken by other bodies, COGEM has not evaluated the risks associated with occasional consumption.