EFSA: Unauthorized GM maize has not been found in Europe

(Mai 30, 2008) The non-authorized genetically modified (GM) maize DAS 59132-8 has not been found in US imports to Europe, according to a scientific opinion of the GMO panel of European Food Safety Authority (ESFA). The opinion was requested by the European Commission after the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service detected low levels of this non-authorized GM maize in a second maize line known as DAS 59122-7. The uses of this authorised GM plant include its import and processing for food, feed and industrial applications in the EU.

DAS 59132-8 and DAS 59122-7 were developed by using the same genes. EFSA's GMO panel stated that the available data are not sufficient to allow a full risk assessment. However, considering the low-level presence of the unauthorized DAS 59132 in US stocks (less than 3 seeds/1000 seeds), as well as the similarity of the two varieties, EFSA has concluded that it is unlikely that DAS 59132-8 would cause risk to human health or the environment.

Read the full report at:

• Response to the request from the European Commission on the non-authorised genetically modified event DAS 59132-8 in US maize
• Summary of opinion