Application for cultivation of genetically modified maize Bt11: assessment of COGEM advice in view of EFSA opinions
- COGEM has been asked to advise on cultivation of genetically modified maize Bt11;
- Bt11 expresses the cry1Ab and pat genes which confer resistance to certain lepidopteran pests and tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium containing herbicides;
- In 2005, COGEM issued a positive advice on the cultivation of maize Bt11 and concluded that cultivation of Bt11 poses a negligible risk to the environment;
- Several EFSA opinions have been published since the advice of COGEM in 2005;
- The European Commission recently submitted its draft decision on the authorisation for cultivation of Bt11 to the Member States. In view of the upcoming vote on Bt11, COGEM has been asked whether the EFSA opinions contain information that would change its conclusions of 2005;
- COGEM is of the opinion that the EFSA opinions do not contain information that refutes COGEM’s previous conclusions;
- COGEM expresses reservations with regard to the mitigation measures recommended by EFSA to reduce exposure of non-target Lepidoptera.