Renewal of the authorisation for import and processing of genetically modified maize MON87427
- The present application (GMFF-2023-21254) concerns the renewal of the authorisation for import and processing for use in feed and food of genetically modified (GM) maize MON87427;
- MON87427 was previously authorised for import and processing in 2015;
- MON87427 expresses the cp4 epsps gene in vegetative and female reproductive tissues, conferring tolerance to glyphosate containing herbicides, with the exception of the male reproductive tissues – resulting in a male sterile phenotype;
- In the Netherlands, feral maize populations have never been observed and the appearance of volunteers – maize not deliberately planted – is rare;
- In the Netherlands, the wild relative of maize (teosinte) is not present in nature, therefore hybridisation of GM maize with other species is not possible;
- The molecular characterisation of MON87427 has been updated and meets the criteria of COGEM;
- The updated bioinformatic analyses, the literature review and post-market environmental monitoring reports do not provide indications that import of MON87427 poses a risk to the environment;
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize MON87427 poses a negligible risk to the environment in the Netherlands;
- COGEM abstains from giving advice on the potential risks of incidental consumption since other organisations carry out a food/feed assessment.