Scientific Opinion on the annual post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) report from Monsanto Europe S.A. on the cultivation of genetically modified maize MON 810 in 2012

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 post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) report for the 2012 growing season of maize MON 810 provided by Monsanto Europe S.A. The EFSA GMO Panel noted that the applicant used a similar methodology as the one previously established for monitoring maize MON 810 in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The EFSA GMO Panel therefore focused its assessment on the novel datasets specific to the 2012 growing season of maize MON 810, and not on the methodology. The data submitted by the applicant in its 2012 PMEM report do not indicate any adverse effects on human and animal health or the environment arising from maize MON 810 cultivation in 2012. However, having already highlighted the poor sensitivity of the methodology followed by the applicant, the EFSA GMO Panel strongly reiterates its previous recommendations for the improvement of the methodology. In addition, the EFSA GMO Panel recommends that the applicant: (1) further investigates effects observed during the monitoring of baseline susceptibility of target pests in Spain; (2) follow-up possible adverse effects of maize MON 810 on rove beetles.