The assessment was performed in connection with EFSA´s (European Food Safety Authorities) public hearing of the renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-017, on request from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency.

The assessment of maize MON88017 x MON810 is based on information provided by the applicant in the application EFSA-GMO-RX-017, and relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Maize MON88017 x MON810 provides tolerance to glyphosate herbicides, and protection from feeding damage caused by coleopteran target pests. Commission decision of 2010 authorised the placing of products containing, consisting of, or produced from maize MON88017 x MON810 on the EU market. The authorisation was granted for a period of ten years.

Authorisation process for genetically modified organisms

Through the EEA Agreement, the EU Directive 2001/18/EC on deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms is implemented in Norwegian law. Norway is therefore affiliated with the GMO authorisation process in the EU. In the EU, both GMOs and derived products are regulated by the Directive and Regulation 1829/2003/EC. The Regulation concerns genetically modified food and feed and is currently not a part of the EEA Agreement. In preparation for a legal implementation of the Regulation in Norwegian law, Norway follows the EU proceedings for GMO applications.

Applicants wishing to extend the authorization period for genetically modified organisms apply for renewal. EFSA submits the application for a public hearing across all EEA countries. VKM conducts its own review of the application and sends its comments to EFSA. EFSA then completes their scientific opinion based on information from the applicant, comments from EEA countries and independent literature. The scientific opinion is then issued to the European Commission.

VKM submitted comments on application EFSA-GMO-RX-017 to EFSA before the deadline January 25, 2020.