Genetically Modified Organisms

Assessment of the genetically modified maize BT11 under EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC on genetically modified food and feed (Renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-016)

Commissioned:

Report no: 2022:14

Published: 27.04.2022

Key message:

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for continued approval of the genetically modified maize BT11 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 public 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 maize BT11

Maize Bt11 was generated by protoplast transformation of a conventional maize line, introducing two new genes: the cry1ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp kurstaki HD-1, and a pat gene derived from Streptomyces viridochromogenes strain Tu494. The encoded proteins Cry1Ab and phosphinothricine acetyl-transferase (PAT), confer resistance to certain lepidopteran insect pests and tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium based herbicides, respectively.

VKM has assessed the documentation in renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-016 and the EFSA scientific opinion on genetically modified maize BT11. VKM concludes that the scientific documentation for maize BT11 is satisfactory for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidelines for risk assessment of genetically modified plants for food or feed uses.

The VKM GMO panel concludes that the introduced modifications in maize Bt11 do not imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA scientific opinion (EFSA, 2021) is adequate also for Norwegian considerations. Therefore, a full risk assessment of maize event Bt11 was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel.

About the assignment

The assignment is divided into three stages.

In stage 1, VKM shall assess the health and environmental risks of the genetically modified organism and derived products in connection with the EFSA public 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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