Renewal of the authorisation for import of genetically modified oilseed rape T45
- The present application (EFSA/GMO/RX/012) concerns the renewal of the authorisation for import and processing for use in food, feed and other products containing or produced from genetically (GM) oilseed rape T45;
- Its purpose is to cover the adventitious presence of T45 resulting from the commercialisation of T45 in other countries until 2005;
- T45 oilseed rape expresses the pat gene, conferring tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium containing herbicides;
- Feral oilseed rape populations occur across the Netherlands, with a small number of plants (25 or less) per location, along distribution routes and handling areas as a result of spillage of oilseed rape seeds during transport and transshipment;
- Oilseed rape can hybridise with Brassica rapa which is a common plant along Dutch roadsides. To a lesser extent it can also hybridise with Brassica juncea and Brassica oleracea;
- Stable incorporation (introgression) of genes from B. napus into wild populations of B. rapa may be possible;
- The bioinformatic analyses of T45 have been updated and meet the criteria of COGEM;
- The information in the annual monitoring reports, the scoping literature review and several unpublished studies do not contain any indication of potential environmental risks or incidents resulting from import and/or processing of T45 oilseed rape.
- In general, COGEM is of the opinion that the monitoring plan for import and processing of GM oilseed rape should include monitoring along transport routes (including roadsides and railway beddings) and transshipment areas;
- Import of T45 oilseed rape will, however, be limited to trace amounts of T45 inadvertently commingled with commodity rapeseed;
- Therefore, in this specific case, COGEM is of the opinion that the current PMEM plan is sufficient;
- COGEM is of the opinion that the adventitious presence of T45 in commodity rapeseed 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.