Biotech Updates

EFSA Declines GM Maize MON810 Market Prohibition in Italy

October 2, 2013

In response to Italy's request prohibiting the placing on the market of genetically modified maize MON810, the European Commission requested EFSA on May 29, 2013 to assess the documents submitted by Italy. The EFSA GMO Panel considered the relevance of concerns raised by Italy in the light of the most recent and relevant scientific data published in the scientific literature.

According to EFSA, all concerns related to human and animal health or environment raised by Italy were already addressed in previous scientific opinions of the EFSA GMO Panel on maize MON810. Thus, there is no specific evidence on risk to human and animal health or the environment, that would support the notification of an emergency measure under Article 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and that would invalidate its previous risk assessments of maize MON810.

For more details, see http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3371.htm.