Import and processing of insect resistant and herbicide tolerant maize MON863 x NK603

The present application concerns the commercial import and processing for use in feed and food of a genetically modified hybrid maize line. Cultivation is not part of the application. The hybrid maize line is developed through traditional breeding of the genetically modified maize lines MON863 and NK603. These parental lines contain genes (cry3Bb1 and cp4 epsps) conferring resistance to certain coleopteran insects, and tolerance to herbicides containing the active ingredient glyphosate. Maize line MON863 x NK603 is already commercially grown in the U.S.A. In the Netherlands, no wild relatives of maize are present and establishment of maize plants in the wild has never been observed. There are no reasons to assume that the inserted traits will increase the potential of the maize line to run wild. Therefore, COGEM is of the opinion that incidental spillage of the hybrid maize line will pose no risk to the environment in the Netherlands. Based on the southern blot analysis provided by the applicant, the experts of COGEM are of the opinion that the integration patterns of the introduced genes in the parental maize lines remain stable and unchanged in the upcoming generations. In addition, interactions between recombinant gene products are not expected. It is sufficiently proven that no toxic or allergenic products are formed as a result of the crossing of the two genetically modified maize lines. Considering the above-mentioned, COGEM is of the opinion that the proposed import and processing of the maize line MON863 x NK603 does not pose a significant risk for human health and the environment.