EFSA delivers positive opinion on GM oilseed rape
EFSA’s Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) delivered its positive scientific opinion on the application to place the MON 88302 crop on the European market for food and feed uses, import and processing.
“Based on the agronomic and phenotypic characteristics of oilseed rape MON 88302 tested under field conditions, no biologically relevant differences were observed between oilseed rape MON 88302 and its conventional counterpart, except for days-to-first flowering. The observed difference for days-to-first flowering could be attributed either to the variability in the genetic background of the Ebony population or to an unintended effect due to the genetic transformation process,” said the EFSA opinion.
“No differences in the compositional data of seeds obtained from oilseed rape MON 88302 requiring further assessment with regard to safety by the EFSA GMO Panel were identified.”
The GMO Panel concluded that it “considers that the information available addresses the scientific requirements of the EFSA GMO Panel and the scientific comments raised by the Member States, and that oilseed rape MON 88302, as described in this application, is as safe as its conventional counterpart and non-GM commercial oilseed rape varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of the scope of this application.”
