COGEM Releases Advice on Renewal of Import and Processing of GM Cotton MON15985

The Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification (COGEM) was requested to evaluate the environmental risks associated with the renewal of the authorization for the import of genetically modified (GM) cotton MON15985 for use in food and feed, as submitted by Bayer Agriculture BV on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP.

In the letter to the State Secretary for Public Transport and the Environment, COGEM stated that cotton cultivation is not possible in the Dutch climate and that there are no wild relatives of cotton in The Netherlands. COGEM did not identify indications for potential environmental risks. The introduced traits in GM cotton MON15985 will not allow GM cotton to survive in the Dutch environment.

Bayer CropScience provided a post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) plan and annual reports on the monitoring carried out between 2015 and 2023. The information in the reports does not indicate adverse effects or incidents resulting from the import and processing of GM cotton MON15985. COGEM wrote that the renewal of the market authorization for the import and processing of GM cotton MON15985 poses a negligible risk to the Dutch environment.

For more information, read the COGEM advice.