Originally published in the Chat 'n Chew Café ( 16 April 1999).
EU Approval Status of Transgenic Corn Hybrids
R.L. (Bob) Nielsen , Agronomy Department , Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1150Internet address: rnielsen@purdue.edu
Transgenic crop varieties are those in which genetic material from an unrelated species, containing genes that code for desirable trait expression, has been incorporated into the genetic makeup of the host species via modern genetic engineering techniques. Transgenics are also referred to as "genetically modified organisms" or GMOs. Current examples of GMOs include Bt corn hybrids that confer resistance to the European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)), an important corn pest in the U.S. Midwest, and RoundupReady™ corn hybrids that confer resistance to the herbicide Roundup™ (glyphosate).
Resistance to the acceptance of grain or products processed from grain of GMO varieties has occurred in some areas of the world, especially within the European Union (EU), due to concern about human health and environmental safety. Accordingly, EU approval is required for import of GMO grain into European countries.
Concerns were raised among U.S. corn growers this past week when A. E. Staley Manufacturing Co. and Archer Daniel Midlands (ADM), two major U.S. corn refiners, announced that they would not be accepting any GMO corn hybrids for processing that were not on the EU-approved list for shipment to Europe. According to the Corn Refiners Association, Inc. Statement on Transgenic Grain Marketing ,
"Products sold by members of the Association in Europe are processed products, not genetically-modified organisms requiring European regulatory approval. Nevertheless, customers of the industry have expressed their wishes that European Union-unapproved varieties of transgenic corn not be used at domestic facilities where processed products are produced for export."
Much uncertainty and many rumors abounded in the days following Staley's and ADM's announcements about which hybrids were on the approved EU list of GMO hybrids. The following information was obtained from the National Corn Growers Association Web site and represents the current state of EU approval as of March 10, 1999. While specific corn hybrid numbers are not listed, your seed dealer can help you identify which hybrids you have purchased for planting in 1999 fall into either the approved or nonapproved list for shipment into the European Union market.
| EVENT |
REGISTRANT |
TRADE NAME |
PROPERTY |
APPROVAL STATUS |
| Event 176 - Approved! |
NaturGard™ KnockOut™ |
Insect Resistance |
EU Approval 12/96 |
|
| Bt11 - Approved! |
YieldGard™ |
Insect Resistance |
EU Approval 12/96 |
|
| MON810 - Approved! |
YieldGard™ |
Insect Resistance |
EU Approval 6/98 |
|
| T25 -Approved! |
LibertyLink™ |
Glufosinate Tolerance |
EU Approval 8/98 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| MON GA21 |
Roundup Ready Corn™ |
Glyphosate Tolerance |
Currently under UK review |
|
| T14* |
Liberty Link T14™ |
Glufosinate Tolerance |
90/220 application withdrawn, currently under Novel Label Feed Safety review |
|
| MON 810 + T25 |
Yieldgard™ LibertyLink™ |
Stacked - Insect Resistance & Glufosinate Tolerance |
Netherlands approval pending in 1999 |
|
| DLL 25 |
DeKalb GR™ |
Glufosinate Tolerance |
To EU from France early 1999 |
|
| DBT 418 |
Bt Xtra™ |
Insect Resistance |
To EU Commission 6/98 |
|
| MON 810 + MON GA21 |
Yieldgard/Roundup Ready Corn™ |
Stacked - Insect Resistance & Glyphosate Tolerance |
Not Pending |
|
| CBH 351 |
Starlink™ |
Insect Resistance |
Import clearance filed by the rapporteur country (Netherlands) in early 1999; Novel Food submission being prepared for spring 1999. |
Application for feed safety approval (Netherlands) under review.
For more information contact your local seed company representative or click on the hotlinks provided above.
