Application (Reference EFSA‐GMO‐NL‐2008‐51) for the placing on the market of glyphosate tolerant genetically modified cotton GHB614, for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Bayer CropScience

Assessment of genetically modified cotton GHB811 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-ES-2018-154)

Cotton GHB811 was developed to confer tolerance to glyphosate and HPPD inhibitor herbicides. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between cotton GHB811 and its conventional counterpart needs further assessment, except for % lint, lint length and dihydrosterculic acid, which do not raise nutritional and safety concerns. The GMO Panel does not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the 2mEPSPS and HPPD W336 proteins as expressed in cotton GHB811 and finds no evidence that the genetic modification would change the overall allergenicity of cotton GHB811. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from cotton GHB811 does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals. The GMO Panel concludes that cotton GHB811 is as safe as the conventional counterpart and non-GM cotton reference varieties tested, and no post-market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. In the case of accidental release of viable cotton GHB811 seeds into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of cotton GHB811. The GMO Panel concludes that cotton GHB811 is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM cotton reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

Assessment of genetically modified cotton GHB614 for renewal authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-RX-018)

Following the submission of application EFSA-GMO-RX-018 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from BASF Agricultural Solutions Seed US LLC, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority was asked to deliver a scientific risk assessment on the data submitted in the context of the renewal of authorisation application for the herbicide-tolerant genetically modified cotton GHB614, for food and feed uses, excluding cultivation within the European Union. The data received in the context of this renewal application contained post-market environmental monitoring reports, a systematic search and evaluation of literature, updated bioinformatic analyses, and additional documents or studies performed by or on behalf of the applicant. The GMO Panel assessed these data for possible new hazards, modified exposure or new scientific uncertainties identified during the authorisation period and not previously assessed in the context of the original application. The GMO Panel concludes that there is no evidence in renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-018 for new hazards, modified exposure or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of the original risk assessment on cotton GHB614.

Scientific opinion on an application by Dow AgroSciences LLC (EFSA-GMO-NL-2012-106) for the placing on the market of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant soybean DAS-44406-6 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003

Soybean DAS‐44406‐6 expresses 5‐enolpyruvyl‐shikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (2mEPSPS), conferring tolerance to glyphosate‐based herbicides, aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase (AAD‐12), conferring tolerance to 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) and other related phenoxy herbicides, and phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT), conferring tolerance to glufosinate ammonium‐based herbicides. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatics analyses did not identify issues requiring assessment for food/feed safety. The agronomic and phenotypic characteristics revealed no relevant differences between soybean DAS‐44406‐6 and its conventional counterpart, except for pod count, seed count and yield. The compositional analysis identified no differences requiring further assessment, except for an increase (up to 31%) in lectin activity in soybean DAS‐44406‐6. Such increase is unlikely to raise additional concerns for food/feed safety and nutrition of soybean DAS‐44406‐6 as compared to its conventional counterpart and non‐GM reference varieties. There were no concerns regarding the potential toxicity and allergenicity of the three newly expressed proteins, and no evidence that the genetic modification might significantly change the overall allergenicity of soybean DAS‐44406‐6. Soybean DAS‐44406‐6 is as nutritious as its conventional counterpart and the non‐GM soybean reference varieties tested. There are no indications of an increased likelihood of establishment and spread of occasional feral soybean DAS‐44406‐6 plants, unless exposed to the intended herbicides. The likelihood of environmental effects from the accidental release of viable seeds from soybean DAS‐44406‐6 into the environment is therefore very low. The post‐market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of soybean DAS‐44406‐6. In conclusion, the GMO Panel considers that the information available for soybean DAS‐44406‐6 addresses the scientific comments raised by Member States and that soybean DAS‐44406‐6, as described in this application, is as safe as its conventional counterpart and non‐GM soybean reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of the scope of this application.