Roots without the Herculex RW trait (pictured, left) and roots with the trait in a corn rootworm-infested field (pictured, right). The EFSA considers that the intended uses of 59122 maize are unlikely to have any adverse effect on human and animal health or on the environment. Photo: Pioneer Hi-Bred International

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has given safety clearance to Dow AgroSciences'/DuPont's genetically modified corn rootworm-resistant 59122 maize for import and use in food and animal feed. The maize, which is tolerant to Bayer CropScience's herbicide, glyphosate-ammonium, is sold as Herculex RW in the US. The clearance is a step in the EU registration process. The European Commission has three months to forward the EFSA's opinion, together with the Commission's proposed approval decision, to EU member states for a vote.

The EFSA considers that the intended uses of 59122 maize are unlikely to have any adverse effect on human and animal health or on the environment. It also says that the monitoring plan and the detection method submitted for the GM line meet regulatory requirements. The EFSA's opinion is open to public comment until May 2nd 2007. The EU application, which was submitted by DuPont subsidiary Pioneer Hi-Bred International and Dow subsidiary Mycogen Seeds, does not cover cultivation.

Dow and DuPont welcome the EFSA's conclusions. "We are optimistic about bringing this novel technology to the EU market in the very near future," says Dean Oestreich, DuPont vice-president and president of Pioneer. Pioneer and Mycogen introduced several Herculex RW maize hybrids in the US in 2006. The GM maize holds import approvals in Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan (Agrow No 505, p 17).

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