Import and processing of maize MON89034

The present application by Monsanto S.A. of file EFSA/GMO/NL/2007/37, ‘Lepidopteran pest resistant maize MON89034’, concerns the import and processing for use in feed and food of a genetically modified maize line. Cultivation is not part of this application.
Maize line MON89034 has been genetically modified by insertion of the cry1A.105 and cry2Ab2 genes, which confer resistance to certain lepidopteran insects, such as the fall armyworm, the black cutworm and the corn earworm.
During the long domestication process, maize has lost its ability to survive in the wild. In the Netherlands, the appearance of maize volunteers is very 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. Therefore, COGEM is of the opinion that incidental spillage of maize line MON89034 will probably not pose a risk to human health and the environment. However, COGEM points out that the molecular analysis of maize line MON89034 is incomplete. In view of the incomplete molecular data, COGEM cannot advice positively on the application for import and processing of MON89034.
In addition, COGEM is of the opinion that the applicant should describe in more detail how the general surveillance plan will be organized. Furthermore, the applicant should ensure that information is obtained and that direct and indirect effects are reported annually.