Scientific Opinion updating the risk assessment conclusions and risk management recommendations on the genetically modified insect resistant maize Bt11

Risk assessment of information on the subcombination Bt11 × MIR162, related to the application of Syngenta (EFSA-GMO-DE-2009-66) for authorisation of food and feed containing, consisting and produced from genetically modified maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21

The EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) has previously assessed the single events Bt11, MIR162, MIR604 and GA21 as well as different stacked events corresponding to combinations of these events. These maize events were found to be as safe as their conventional counterparts and other appropriate comparators with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment. In its assessment of the four-event maize stack Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21, the GMO Panel also assessed all the subcombinations of these events not previously assessed, including some for which little or no experimental data were provided, including the two-stack maize event Bt11 × MIR162 (application EFSA-GMO-DE-2009-66). On 8 November 2016, the European Commission received from Syngenta information on the subcombination Bt11 × MIR162. On 14 December 2016, the European Commission tasked EFSA to analyse these data and to indicate whether they have an impact on the previously issued opinion on the four-event stack Bt11 × MIR162 × MIR604 × GA21 and its subcombinations. The GMO Panel used the appropriate principles described in its guidelines for the risk assessment of genetically modified (GM) plants to analyse the provided data. The levels of the newly expressed proteins Cry1Ab, PAT, Vip3Aa20 and PMI are similar between the two-event stack Bt11 × MIR162 and the corresponding single events Bt11 and MIR162. Based on this analysis, there is no indication of an interaction between the events combined in maize Bt11 × MIR162 that would affect the levels of the newly expressed proteins. Thus, the GMO Panel considers that the new information for maize Bt11 × MIR162 does not alter the conclusions of the scientific opinion on application EFSA-GMO-DE-2009-66.

EFSA's scientific activities and achievements on the risk assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) during its first decade of existence: looking back and ahead

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and derived food and feed products are subject to a risk analysis and regulatory approval before they can enter the market in the European Union (EU). In this risk analysis process, the role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which was created in 2002 in response to multiple food crises, is to independently assess and provide scientific advice to risk managers on any possible risks that the use of GMOs may pose to human and animal health and the environment. EFSA's scientific advice is elaborated by its GMO Panel with the scientific support of several working groups and EFSA's GMO Unit. This review presents EFSA's scientific activities and highlights its achievements on the risk assessment of GMOs for the first 10 years of its existence. Since 2002, EFSA has issued 69 scientific opinions on genetically modified (GM) plant market registration applications, of which 62 for import and processing for food and feed uses, six for cultivation and one for the use of pollen (as or in food), and 19 scientific opinions on applications for marketing products made with GM microorganisms. Several guidelines for the risk assessment of GM plants, GM microorganisms and GM animals, as well as on specific issues such as post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) were elaborated. EFSA also provided scientific advice upon request of the European Commission on safeguard clause and emergency measures invoked by EU Member States, annual PMEM reports, the potential risks of new biotechnology-based plant breeding techniques, evaluations of previously assessed GMOs in the light of new scientific publications, and the use of antibiotic resistance marker genes in GM plants. Future challenges relevant to the risk assessment of GMOs are discussed. EFSA's risk assessments of GMO applications ensure that data are analysed and presented in a way that facilitates scientifically sound decisions that protect human and animal health and the environment.