Assessment of genetically modified maize 94804 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application GMFF-2022-10651/EFSA-Q-2023- 00106 (182)) | Assessment of genetically modified maize 94804 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application GMFF-2022-10651/EFSA-Q-2023- 00106 (182))

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize MON 94804 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. The assignment is divided into three stages. (link) Maize MON 94804 MON 94804 is a genetically modified maize developed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation of maize cells. Maize MON 94804 expresses a micro-RNA (miRNA) transcript, that leads to reduced levels of the hormone gibberellin in the plant. Gibberellin is involved in, i.a., plant stem elongation. Thus, maize MON 94804 plants grow shorter than other maize. The scientific documentation provided in the application for maize MON 94804 is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified plants for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO panel does not consider the introduced modifications in maize MON 94804 to imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA scientific Opinion is adequate also for Norwegian conditions. Therefore, a full risk assessment of maize MON 94804 was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel.

Assessment of genetically modified maize 94804 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application GMFF-2022-10651/EFSA-Q-2023- 00106 (182))

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