The genetically modified (GM) maize variety NK603 was approved in the European Union for food and feed use in 2004, following a rigorous safety assessment. The original evaluation was reviewed and updated in 2009 and NK603 maize is considered to be as safe as its conventional counterpart with respect to potential direct effects on human and animal health and the environment.

New information has recently been published concerning an animal feeding trial carried out in France, where the authors highlighted an apparent difference in the incidence of certain tumours between animals fed NK603 maize and non-GM maize. However, no statistical analysis was provided to show that these differences were other than chance observations. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the body responsible for carrying out the safety assessment for GM food and feed, is reviewing this new study. In its initial statement EFSA advised that the published report cannot be used in the safety assessment of GM maize NK603 and it does not see a need to reopen the existing safety evaluation of GM maize NK603. The Food Standards Agency agrees with this conclusion.

EFSA is contacting the authors of the paper to obtain further information about their work and to review additional results obtained from this study that were not included in their original publication.

A decision on the marketing of GA21 maize seed for commercial cultivation will be taken in due course at European Union (EU) level, under the terms of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The Government will take a view on whether or not to support EU authorisation on the basis of the scientific evidence on the potential impact on human health and the environment. Ministers will receive independent expert advice on this from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.

If GA21 maize were to receive EU clearance under the GM-related controls, it could not be grown in the UK in association with Roundup herbicide unless that specific use of Roundup is permitted under the legislation on plant protection products. As yet no application has been made for authorisation to use Roundup on GA21.

Authorisation holders for plant protection products are required to report any information relating to the development of resistance, and in the UK we have a Weed Resistance Action Group which is producing practical guidelines for resistance management and monitoring new developments in resistance. The Chemicals Regulation Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive also commissions research on this topic.