Import and processing of genetically modified maize line Bt11x59122xMIR604x1507xGA21

The present application (file EFSA/GMO/DE/2011/99) concerns import and processing for use in feed and food of the genetically modified maize line Bt11x59122xMIR604x1507xGA21. Cultivation is not part of this application.
Maize line Bt11x59122xMIR604x1507xGA21 expresses the cry1Ab, cry1F, cry34Ab1, cry35Ab1, cry3A, pat, mepsps and pmi genes. As a result, the maize line is resistant to certain lepidopteran and coleopteran insects, tolerant to glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium containing herbicides, and is able to survive on a selection medium with mannose as sole carbon source.
Maize line Bt11x59122xMIR604x1507xGA21 was produced by means of conventional breeding between the five genetically modified parental maize lines. Previously, COGEM issued positive opinions on the import and processing of all parental lines and various crosses between these lines.
During its long domestication process, maize has lost its ability to survive in the wild. In the Netherlands, the appearance of maize volunteers is rare and establishment of volunteers in the wild has never been reported. There are no reasons to assume that the introduced traits will increase the potential of maize to establish feral populations. The introduced genes cannot spread to closely related species since wild relatives of maize are not present in Europe.
In view of the above, COGEM is of the opinion that incidental spillage of Bt11x59122xMIR604x1507xGA21 poses a negligible risk to the environment. Since 2008, COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption in case a food/feed assessment is already carried out by other organisations.
COGEM considers the environmental risks associated with import and processing of maize line Bt11x59122xMIR604x1507xGA21 to be negligible.