Scientific Opinion on the annual Post‐Market Environmental Monitoring (PMEM) report from BASF Plant Science Company GmbH on the cultivation of genetically modified potato EH92‐527‐1 in 2011

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA GMO Panel) assessed the monitoring report for the 2011 growing season, provided by BASF, on the genetically modified (GM) potato EH92-527-1 (variety Amflora). On 26 January 2012, the EFSA GMO Panel had adopted a scientific opinion on the 2010 monitoring report on potato EH92-527-1. The EFSA GMO Panel followed the same approach as for the assessment of the 2010 monitoring report and assessed, in close collaboration with the EFSA Unit for Scientific Assessment Support, the methodology used by the applicant in 2011 for the case-specific studies, the general surveillance of potato EH92-527-1 and the field study to monitor potential adverse effects on potato-feeding organisms as required in the related Commission Decision. The EFSA GMO Panel notes similar shortcomings in the methodology for general surveillance and for the specific field study on potato-feeding organisms as were found in the 2010 monitoring report. Hence, the EFSA GMO Panel reiterates the same recommendations for improvement of the methodology for the post-market environmental monitoring of potato EH92-527-1 as it did in its scientific opinion on the 2010 monitoring report. The EFSA GMO Panel also assessed the methodology of a new study monitoring GM volunteers within and around fields cropped with potato EH92-527-1 in 2010. The EFSA GMO Panel identified flaws in that study and therefore makes recommendations to the applicant to improve the study design. However, from the overall dataset submitted by the applicant, the EFSA GMO Panel did not identify adverse effects on the environment or human and animal health due to potato EH92-527-1 cultivation. The outcomes of the 2011 monitoring report do not invalidate the conclusions of the EFSA GMO Panel's previous opinions on potato EH92-527-1.