Import and processing of genetically modified maize DP202216xNK603xDAS-40278-9 and subcombinations
- The present application (GMFF-2022-6232) concerns the authorisation of genetically modified (GM) maize DP202216xNK603xDAS-40278-9 and its subcombinations for import and processing for use in feed and food;
- The stacked event maize DP202216xNK603xDAS-40278-9 was produced by conventional crossbreeding of the three GM parental maize lines;
- Previously, COGEM advised positively on the import and processing of all three parental lines;
- The GM maize expresses a modified pat gene (mo–pat), the aad-1 gene and two copies of the cp4 epsps gene, conferring tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate-ammonium, 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and aryloxyphenoxypropionate (AOPP) containing herbicides. Furthermore, it expresses the zmm28 gene leading to increased and extended production of the endogenous ZMM28 protein resulting in plants with an enhanced grain yield potential;
- In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed and the appearance of volunteers is rare;
- In the Netherlands, the wild relative of maize, teosinte is not present in the environment, hybridisation of GM maize with other species is therefore not possible;
- The molecular characterisation of DP202216xNK603xDAS-40278-9 has been updated and meets the criteria of COGEM;
- The updated bioinformatic analysis did not provide indications of potential environmental risks;
- There are no indications that the introduced traits allow the stacked event maize DP202216xNK603xDAS-40278-9 to survive in the Netherlands;
- There are no indications that DP202216xNK603xDAS-40278-9 could establish feral populations in the Netherlands;
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize DP202216xNK603xDAS-40278-9, and GM maize consisting of subcombinations of its parental GM maize lines poses a negligible risk to the environment in the Netherlands;
- COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption since a food/feed assessment is carried out by other organisations.