EFSA Publishes Scientific Opinion on Three-Event Stack Oilseed Rape by Monsanto and Bayer

The European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel) released  their assessment of the three-event stack oilseed rape (OSR) MON 88302 × MS8 × RF3 and its three subcombinations, independently of their origin. The opinion is for authorization of genetically modified glufosinate-ammonium- and glyphosate-tolerant oilseed rape for food and feed uses, import and processing submitted in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 by Monsanto Company and Bayer CropScience.

The GMO Panel has previously assessed the single events combined to produce this three-event stack OSR and did not identify safety concerns. Moreover, no new information that would modify the original conclusions was identified.

The combination of the single OSR events and of the newly expressed proteins does not give rise to food and feed safety and nutrition issues, based on the molecular, agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics. In the case of accidental release of viable OSR MON 88302 × MS8 × RF3 seeds into the environment, the three-event stack OSR would not raise environmental safety concerns.

The GMO Panel has concluded that the three-event stack OSR is as safe and as nutritious as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM reference varieties, in the context of the scope of the application.

For more information, the complete opinion is available at the EFSA Journal.