EFSA GMO Panel Releases Scientific Opinion on GM Sugar Beet KWS20-1

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel) released a Scientific Opinion on genetically modified (GM) sugar beet KWS20-1 for import and processing submitted within the framework of Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003. The scope of application does not include the cultivation or the import of viable material in the EU.

Developed by Bayer Agriculture BV and KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA, the sugar beet KWS20-1 contains a single insert consisting of one copy of the cp4 epsps, dmo, and the pat expression cassettes. The sugar beet KWS20-1 was developed to confer tolerance against herbicides containing glyphosate, dicamba, and glufosinate ammonium.

The field trials showed no significant differences in agronomic, phenotypic, or compositional characteristics between sugar beet KWS20-1 and its conventional counterpart, except for pectin in the roots, which was further assessed and found to pose no safety concerns. The GMO Panel determined that the proteins expressed in sugar beet KWS20-1 do not raise toxicity or allergenicity concerns. The Panel concluded that the consumption of sugar beet KWS20-1 does not pose nutritional risks and is safe as conventional sugar beet varieties.

For more information, read the Scientific Opinion from the EFSA Journal.