Assessment of genetically modified maize MIR162 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-025)

Abstract

Event MIR162 is a genetically modified maize developed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated transformation of maize embryos. MIR162 plants contain the transgenes vip3Aa20, a modified version of the native vip3Aa1 from Bacillus thuringiensis, and the pmi gene from Escherichia coli. Vip3Aa20 encodes the insecticidal Vip3Aa20-protein, conferring MIR162 with resistance to several species of lepidopteran (order of butterflies and moths) insect pests. Pmi encodes the enzyme phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) which catalyses the isomerization of mannose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate. PMI was used as a selectable marker during development of MIR162. The scientific documentation provided in the renewal application (EFSA-GMO-RX-025) for maize MIR162 is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified plants for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO panel does not consider the introduced modifications in event MIR162 to imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA opinion is adequate also for Norwegian considerations. Therefore, a full risk assessment of maize event MIR162 was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel.

Assessment of genetically modified maize MIR162 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-025)