Advice Renewal of import & processing of GM maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21
- The present application concerns the authorisation of genetically modified (GM) maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21 for import and processing for use in feed and food;
- Previously, COGEM has advised positively on the import and processing of this line;
- The GM maize expresses genes, that code for proteins which confer resistance against certain lepidopteran and coleopteran pests and genes which confer tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium containing herbicides and glyphosate containing herbicides;
- In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed. Additionally the wild relative of maize, teosinte, is not present in the natural environment in the Netherlands, thus hybridisation of GM maize with other species is impossible;
- The molecular characterisation of Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21 meets the criteria of COGEM. There are no indications that the introduced traits allow the stacked event maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21 to survive in the Netherlands;
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21 poses a negligible risk to the environment in the Netherlands.