Import and processing of genetically modified maize MON87427xMON89034x1507xMON87411x59122xDAS-40278-9 and sub-combinations
- The present application (EFSA/GMO/NL/2017/145) concerns the authorisation for import and processing for use in feed and food of genetically modified (GM) maize MON87427xMON89034x1507xMON87411x59122xDAS-40278-9 and GM maize consisting of sub-combinations of the parental GM maize lines;
- Maize MON87427xMON89034x1507xMON87411x59122xDAS-40278-9 was produced by conventional crossbreeding of the six GM parental maize lines;
- Previously, COGEM advised positively on the import and processing of all six parental lines;
- The GM maize expresses the genes cp4 epsps, pat, aad-1, cry1A.105, cry2Ab2, cry34Ab1, cry35Ab1, cry1F, cry3Bb1 and dsRNA DvSnf7;
- It is resistant to certain lepidopteran and coleopteran insects, and tolerant to 2,4-D, AOPP, glyphosate and glufosinate-ammonium containing herbicides;
- In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed and the appearance of volunteers is rare;
- In the Netherlands, wild relatives of maize are absent and hybridisation of maize with other species is therefore not possible;
- COGEM considers the molecular characterisation of MON87427xMON89034x1507x MON87411x59122xDAS-40278-9 incomplete;
- New sequence information showed differences between stacked and parental lines, and updated bioinformatics analyses were not performed on the most recent sequence information;
- There are no indications that the introduced traits allow MON87427xMON89034x1507x MON87411x59122xDAS-40278-9 to survive in the Netherlands;
- There are no indications that MON87427xMON89034x1507xMON87411x59122xDAS-40278-9 could establish feral populations in the Netherlands;
- COGEM is of the opinion that the dossier of maize MON87427xMON89034x1507x MON87411x59122xDAS-40278-9 is incomplete, and deems it necessary that the bioinformatics analyses should be performed on updated sequence information before a risk assessment can be made;
- COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption since a food/feed assessment is carried out by other organisations.