EFSA GMO Watch November 2011

News
EFSA held a workshop on independence and the scientific decision making process on 12 October 2011 in Brussels. The results can be found at http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/event/111012.htm

Testbiotech filed a letter (http://www.testbiotech.de/node/573) to Member States before the meeting of the standing committee SCFCAH on 14 November on the market authorisation of two genetically engineered soybeans tolerant to herbicides (http://ec.europa.eu/food/committees/regulatory/scfcah/modif_genet/index_...). The applications did not achieve a majority. Member states voted as follows:

on soybean A5547-127
• in favour: Bel, Cz, Dk, De, Est, Ire, Es, NL, Port, Ro, Svk, Fin, Swe, UK
• against: Gre, Fr, Cyp, Lat, Lith, Lux, Hun, Au, Pol, Sln
• abstained: Bul, It, Mal

on soybean 40-3-2
• in favour: Bel, Cz, Dk, De, Est, Ire, Es, NL, Po, Ro, Svk, Fin, Swe, UK
• against: Gre, Cyp, Lat, Lith, Lux, Hun, Au, Pol
• abstained: Bul, Fr, It, Sln, Mal

These applications now for the first time will be examined by a new procedure involving the Appeal Committee set up by Regulation (EC) No. 182/2011. A decision can be expected during January 2012.

New opinions and guidance
EFSA published an updated version on post-market monitoring of MON810 without proposing case specific monitoring http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2376.htm

EFSA is of the opinion that pollen from MON810 in honey does not pose any risk: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2434.htm

EFSA published a new opinion on MON80807 for cultivation (http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2428.htm). This is the first opinion published under the new Guidance for environmental risk assessment. The maize produces an insecticidal toxin (Cry3Bb1) and is tolerant to glyphosate. Deadline for comments is 10 December, please see: http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biotechnology/gmo_authorisation_en.htm

Furthermore EFSA published opinions on subcombinations of MON80934x1507xNK603 and MON89034x1507xMON88017x59122. These are additional informations as requested by the Commission.

Others:
EFSA will hold a workshop on GMOs on 29 November: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/event/111129.htm

The EU Commission and EFSA answered Testbiotech's letter on the authorisation of MON 89034 × MON 88017 maize (Monsanto), GHB614 (Bayer) and the renewal of the application for maize 1507 (Pioneer) (http://www.testbiotech.de/node/501)

Testbiotech does not consider this answer (see: http://www.testbiotech.de/sites/default/files/CAB16_1114101113_001.pdf) to be adequate and will come up with further analysis during the coming weeks.