Genetically Modified Organisms - Food and Feed

Assessment of the genetically modified soybean MON 87701 under EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC on genetically modified food and feed (renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-021)

Commissioned:

Report no: 2023:9

Published: 30.03.2023

Key message:

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified soybean MON 87701 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU.

In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation.

The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law.

Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation.

In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission.

Genetically modified soybean MON 87701

MON 87701 was developed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of plant cells. MON 87701 plants contain the transgene cry1Ac which encodes the protein Cry1Ac. The protein Cry1Ac provides resistance against specific lepidopteran (order of butterflies and moths) pests.

VKM has not provided comments to EFSA regarding the application EFSA-GMO-RX-021 during the EFSA scientific hearing in accordance with the assignment from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency, due to other priorities.

However, VKM has assessed the documentation in application EFSA-GMO-RX-021 and EFSA's scientific opinion on genetically modified soybean MON 87701. VKM concludes that the applicant's scientific documentation for soybean MON 87701 is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidelines for risk assessment of genetically modified plants for food or feed uses.

The genetic modifications in soybean MON 87701 do not indicate increased health or environmental risks in Norway compared to EU countries. EFSAs risk assessment is therefore sufficient also for Norwegian conditions. As no specific Norwegian conditions have been identified regarding properties of the genetically modified soybean, VKM's GMO panel has not performed a complete risk assessment of the soybean.

In 2010, VKM published a health risk assessment of soybean MON 87701, and in 2015 a health- and environmental risk assessment. No harmful or altered nutritional properties of the genetically modified soybean were identified. VKM concluded that the introduced properties of soybean MON 87701 do not imply an increased risk of spreading and establishment in Norwegian nature, compared with conventional soybean varieties.

About the assignment

In stage 1, VKM shall assess the health and environmental risks of the genetically modified organism and derived products in connection with the EFSA scientific hearing of GMO applications. VKM shall review the scientific documentation that the applicant has submitted and possibly provide comments to EFSA. VKM must also consider: i) whether there are specific Norwegian conditions that could give other risks in Norway than those mentioned in the application, ii) whether the Norwegian diet presents a different health risk for the Norwegian population should the GMO be approved, compared to the European population, and iii) risks associated with co-existence with conventional and/or ecologic production of plants for GMOs seeking approval for cultivation. Relevant measures to ensure co-existence must also be considered.

In stage 2, VKM shall assess whether comments from Norway have been satisfactorily answered by EFSA. In addition, VKM shall assess whether comments from other countries imply need for further follow-up.

If EFSAs response to Norwegian comments is not satisfactory, or comments by other countries imply the need for further follow-up, VKM shall in stage 3 perform a risk assessment of these conditions, including conditions specific to Norway.

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