Second renewal of the authorisation for import and processing of genetically modified maize MON810
- The present application (GMFF-2022-9450) concerns the second renewal of the authorisation for import and processing for use in feed and food (including pollen) of genetically modified (GM) maize MON810;
- GM maize MON810 has been authorised for import and processing for use in feed and food since 1998. The use of MON810 pollen in food has been authorised in 2013;
- MON810 expresses the cry1Ab gene, resulting in tolerance to certain lepidopteran pests;
- 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 updated bioinformatic analyses indicate that ~13 Mb of chromosome 5 was deleted by the insertion of the cry1Ab insert;
- The literature review and post-market environmental monitoring reports do not give any indication that MON810 poses a risk to the environment;
- COGEM is of the opinion that import and processing of maize MON810 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.