EFSA gave positive opinion for GM sugarbeet H7-1 for renewal of authorisation

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has given a positive safety assessment to the application EFSA-GMO-RX-006 under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from KWS SAAT SE and Monsanto Company.

The application from KWS and Monsanto is asking for the renewal of authorisation application for the herbicide-tolerant genetically modified (GM) sugar beet H7-1. The scope of the renewal application EFSA-GMO-RX-006 is for food and feed produced from or food containing ingredients produced from sugar beet H7-1 for import and processing, excluding cultivation within the European Union (EU).

In delivering its scientific opinion, the GMO Panel took into account application EFSA-GMO-RX-006, additional information provided by the applicant, scientific comments submitted by the Member States and relevant scientific publications. The data received in the context of the renewal application EFSAGMO-RX-006 contained: an evaluation of the literature retrieved by a systematic search, updated bioinformatics analyses, and additional documents or studies performed by or on behalf of the applicant. The GMO Panel assessed these data for possible new hazards, modified exposure or new scientific uncertainties identified during the authorisation period and not previously assessed in the context of the original application.

In conclusion, under the assumption that the DNA sequence of the event in sugar beet H7-1 considered for renewal is identical to the sequence of the originally assessed event, the GMO Panel concludes that there is no evidence in the context of this renewal application for new hazards, modified exposure or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of the original risk assessment on sugar beet H7-1 (EFSA, 2006).