COGEM Releases Advice on GM Soybean MON87708 x MON89788

COGEM, the Netherlands' advisory committee on genetic modification, has issued a positive opinion on the renewal of authorization for the import and processing of genetically modified (GM) soybean MON87708 x MON89788. The GM soybean is a stacked-event variety engineered to resist herbicides intended for use in both food and animal feed. The committee's advice, published under reference CGM/251124-02, signals continued regulatory support for the trade and consumption of the modified crop.

The review concludes that the import and processing of the GM soybean pose a "negligible risk to the environment in the Netherlands." COGEM based its assessment on a review of the soybean's molecular characterization, confirming it meets all established safety criteria. A key factor in the committee's finding was the lack of potential for environmental impact, noting specifically that the introduced traits do not enable the soybean to survive or establish locally, and that feral soybean populations do not naturally occur in the Netherlands.

This latest recommendation is a renewal of a previous authorization, maintaining continuity for industry stakeholders who rely on the import of GM soybeans. The positive advice on GM soybean MON87708 x MON89788 reinforces the regulatory pathway for this particular crop, ensuring its continued integration into the European food and feed supply chain while affirming the committee's judgment that the genetic modifications present no significant risk to the Dutch environment.

For more details, read the COGEM advice.