Date: 2021-01-26Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/66 of 22 January 2021 authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2021) 285) (Only the Dutch text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance)
Issued by European Commission
· Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
Executive Summary:
This Commission Implementing Decision EU 2021/66 authorises the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, according to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The decision assigns a unique identifier to the GMO and is valid for 10 years from the date of notification. The authorisation holder, Bayer CropScience LP, must submit annual reports on the environmental monitoring plan.
Key Points / Main Content:
Authorisation Details:
* Genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 (unique identifier: MON87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON877Ø8-9 × MON89788-1) is authorised for:
* Foods and food ingredients.
* Feed.
* Products for uses other than food and feed, excluding cultivation.
Labelling Requirements:
* The name of the organism on labels should be "soybean".
* Products containing or consisting of the genetically modified soybean (excluding food products) must be labelled with "not for cultivation".
Detection Method:
* Quantitative event-specific PCR detection methods, validated for individual events and verified on the stacked event, are to be used.
* Reference materials are available via the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS).
Monitoring and Reporting:
* The authorisation holder must implement the environmental effects monitoring plan.
* Annual reports on the monitoring plan's implementation and results must be submitted to the Commission, following Decision 2009/770/EC format.
Registry and Validity:
* Information related to the authorisation will be entered in the Community register of genetically modified food and feed.
* The decision is valid for 10 years from the date of its notification.
Impact Analysis:
Bayer CropScience LP:
* Impact: Holds the authorisation for placing the genetically modified soybean products on the market.
* Action Required: Implement the monitoring plan, submit annual reports to the Commission, and ensure correct labelling of products.
European Commission:
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the decision and maintaining the Community register of genetically modified food and feed.
* Action Required: Ensure that the required information is entered into the Community register and review the annual reports submitted by the authorisation holder.
Food and Feed Producers/Distributors:
* Impact: Can legally place products containing the specified genetically modified soybean on the market, subject to labelling requirements.
* Action Required: Ensure products are correctly labelled, particularly with the "not for cultivation" statement where applicable.
EU Reference Laboratory:
* Impact: Validated the detection methods for the genetically modified soybean events.
* Action Required: Maintain and provide validated detection methods.
Key Entities Referenced
European Commission: The executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's day-to-day operations.
Regulation EC No 1829/2003: A regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on genetically modified food and feed.
European Food Safety Authority: An agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on risks associated with the food chain.
MON 87751 MON 87701 MON 87708 MON 89788: Genetically modified soybean which is the subject of the authorization decision.
Bayer CropScience LP, United States: The authorization holder and applicant for the genetically modified soybean.
Bayer Agriculture BV, Belgium: The representative of Bayer CropScience LP in the European Union.
Directive 2001/18/EC: A directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms.
Community register of genetically modified food and feed: A register where information on authorized genetically modified food and feed is recorded.
L 26/44 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 26.1.2021
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2021/66
of 22 January 2021
authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from
genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, pursuant to
Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council
(notified under document C(2021) 285)
(Only the Dutch text is authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on
genetically modified food and feed(1), and in particular to Articles 7(3) and 19(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 17 December 2015, Monsanto Europe N.V. on behalf of Monsanto Company, United States, submitted to the
national competent authority of The Netherlands an application for the placing on the market of foods, food
ingredients and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87751 ×
MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC)
No 1829/2003 (‘the application’). The application also covered the placing on the market of products containing or
consisting of genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 for uses
other than food and feed, with the exception of cultivation.
(2) In accordance with Articles 5(5) and 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the application included information
and conclusions about the risk assessment carried out in accordance with the principles set out in Annex II to
Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(2). It also included the information required
pursuant to Annexes III and IV to that Directive and a monitoring plan for environmental effects in accordance with
Annex VII to that Directive.
(3) By letter dated 27 August 2018, Monsanto Europe N.V. informed the Commission that it converted its legal form
and changed its name to Bayer Agriculture BVBA, Belgium.
(4) On 11 November 2019, the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) issued a favourable opinion in
accordance with Articles 6 and 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003(3). The Authority concluded that genetically
modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, as described in the application, is as
safe as and nutritionally equivalent to its conventional counterpart and the tested non-genetically modified soybean
reference varieties with respect to the potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.
(5) In its opinion, the Authority considered all the questions and concerns raised by the Member States in the context of
the consultation of the national competent authorities as provided for in Articles 6(4) and 18(4) of Regulation (EC)
No 1829/2003.
(1) OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1.
(2) Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release into the environment
of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC (OJ L 106, 17.4.2001, p. 1).
(3) EFSA GMO Panel (EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms), 2019. Scientific Opinion on the assessment of genetically modified
soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003
(application EFSA-GMO-NL-2016-128). EFSA Journal 2019;17(11):5847, 31 pp. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2019.584726.1.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 26/45
(6) The Authority also concluded that the monitoring plan for the environmental effects, submitted by the applicant,
consisting of a general surveillance plan is in line with the intended uses of the products.
(7) Taking into account those conclusions, the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced
from genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 should be authorised
for the uses listed in the application.
(8) By a letter dated 28 July 2020, Bayer Agriculture BVBA, Belgium, informed the Commission that, as of 1 August
2020, it changes its name to Bayer Agriculture BV, Belgium.
(9) By a letter dated 28 July 2020, Bayer Agriculture BVBA, Belgium, representing Monsanto Company, United States,
informed the Commission that, as of 1 August 2020, Monsanto Company, United States, converts its legal form
and changes its name to Bayer CropScience LP, United States.
(10) A unique identifier should be assigned to genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708
× MON 89788 in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2004(4).
(11) For the products covered by this Decision, no specific labelling requirements, other than those provided for in
Articles 13(1) and 25(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 and in Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of
the European Parliament and of the Council(5), appear to be necessary. However, in order to ensure that the use of
those products remains within the limits of the authorisation granted by this Decision, the labelling of the products
containing or consisting of genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 ×
MON 89788, with the exception of food products, should contain a clear indication that they are not intended for
cultivation.
(12) The authorisation holder should submit annual reports on the implementation and on the results of the activities set
out in the monitoring plan for environment effects. Those results should be presented in accordance with the
requirements laid down in Commission Decision 2009/770/EC(6).
(13) The opinion of the Authority does not justify the imposition of specific conditions or restrictions for the placing on the
market, for the use and handling, including post-market monitoring requirements regarding the consumption of food
and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON 87751 × MON 87701 ×
MON 87708 × MON 89788, or for the protection of particular ecosystems/environment or geographical areas, as
provided for in Articles 6(5)(e) and 18(5)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
(14) All relevant information on the authorisation of the products covered by this Decision should be entered in the
Community register of genetically modified food and feed referred to in Article 28(1) of Regulation (EC)
No 1829/2003.
(15) This Decision is to be notified through the Biosafety Clearing-House to the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, pursuant to Article 9(1) and Article 15(2)(c) of Regulation (EC)
No 1946/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council(7).
(16) The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed has not delivered an opinion within the time limit laid
down by its Chairman. This implementing act was deemed to be necessary and the chair submitted it to the appeal
committee for further deliberation. The appeal committee did not deliver an opinion,
(4) Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2004 of 14 January 2004 establishing a system for the development and assignment of unique
identifiers for genetically modified organisms (OJ L 10, 16.1.2004, p. 5).
(5) Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and
labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified
organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC (OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 24).
(6) Commission Decision 2009/770/EC of 13 October 2009 establishing standard reporting formats for presenting the monitoring results
of the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, as or in products, for the purpose of placing on the
market, pursuant to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 275, 21.10.2009, p. 9).
(7) Regulation (EC) No 1946/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on transboundary movements of
genetically modified organisms (OJ L 287, 5.11.2003, p. 1).L 26/46 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 26.1.2021
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Genetically modified organism and unique identifier
Genetically modified soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) MON 87751 × MON 87701 × MON 87708 × MON 89788, as
specified in point (b) of the Annex to this Decision, is assigned the unique identifier MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 ×
MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 65/2004.
Article 2
Authorisation
The following products are authorised for the purposes of Articles 4(2) and 16(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 in
accordance with the conditions set out in this Decision:
(a) foods and food ingredients containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 ×
MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1;
(b) feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 ×
MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1;
(c) products containing or consisting of genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9
× MON-89788-1for uses other than those provided for in points (a) and (b), with the exception of cultivation.
Article 3
Labelling
1. For the purposes of the labelling requirements laid down in Articles 13(1) and 25(2) of Regulation (EC)
No 1829/2003 and in Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003, the ‘name of the organism’ shall be ‘soybean’.
2. The words ‘not for cultivation’ shall appear on the label of and in the documents accompanying products containing
or consisting of genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1, with
the exception of products referred to in point (a) of Article 2.
Article 4
Method for detection
The method set out in point (d) of the Annex shall apply for the detection of genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 ×
MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1 as referred to in Article 1.
Article 5
Monitoring for environmental effects
1. The authorisation holder shall ensure that the monitoring plan for environmental effects, as set out in point (h) of the
Annex, is put in place and implemented.
2. The authorisation holder shall submit to the Commission annual reports on the implementation and the results of
the activities set out in the monitoring plan in accordance with the format set out in Decision 2009/770/EC.26.1.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 26/47
Article 6
Community register
The information set out in the Annex shall be entered in the Community register of genetically modified food and feed, as
referred to in Article 28(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.
Article 7
Authorisation holder
The authorisation holder shall be Bayer CropScience LP, United States, represented in the Union by Bayer Agriculture BV,
Belgium.
Article 8
Validity
This Decision shall apply for a period of 10 years from the date of its notification.
Article 9
Addressee
This Decision is addressed to Bayer Agriculture BV, Scheldelaan 460, 2040 Antwerp, Belgium.
Done at Brussels, 22 January 2021.
For the Commission
Stella KYRIAKIDES
Member of the CommissionL 26/48 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 26.1.2021
ANNEX
(a) Applicant and authorisation holder
Name: Bayer CropScience LP
Address: 800 N. Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63167, United States of America
Represented in the Union by Bayer Agriculture BV, Scheldelaan 460, 2040 Antwerp, Belgium.
(b) Designation and specification of the products
(1) foods and food ingredients containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean
MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1;
(2) feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 ×
MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1;
(3) products containing or consisting of genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 ×
MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1 for uses other than those provided for in points (1) and (2), with the exception
of cultivation.
The genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON–877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1 expresses the
dmo gene, which confer tolerance to dicamba based herbicides, the cp4 epsps gene which confers tolerance to glyphosate
based herbicides, the cry1Ac, cry2Ab2 and cry1A.105 genes, which confer protection against certain lepidopteran pests.
(c) Labelling
(1) For the purposes of the labelling requirements laid down in Articles 13(1) and 25(2) of Regulation (EC)
No 1829/2003, and in Article 4(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003, the ‘name of the organism’ shall be
‘soybean’.
(2) The words ‘not for cultivation’ shall appear on the label of and in documents accompanying the products
containing or consisting of genetically modified soybean MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9 ×
MON-89788-1, with the exception of products referred to in point (b)(1).
(d) Method for detection
(1) The quantitative event-specific PCR detection methods are those individually validated for genetically modified
soybean events MON-87751-7, MON 877Ø1-2, MON-877Ø8-9 and MON-89788-1 and further verified on
soybean stack MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1;
(2) Validated by the EU reference laboratory established under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, published at http://
gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/StatusOfDossiers.aspx
(3) Reference Material: AOCS 0215(for MON-87751-7), AOCS 0809 (for MON 877Ø1-2), AOCS 0311 (for
MON-877Ø8-9) and AOCS 0906 (for MON-89788-1) are accessible via the American Oil Chemists Society
(AOCS) at https://www.aocs.org/crm
(e) Unique identifier
MON-87751-7 × MON 877Ø1-2 × MON-877Ø8-9 × MON-89788-1.
(f) Information required under Annex II to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological
Diversity
[Biosafety Clearing-House, Record ID number: published in the Community register of genetically modified food and feed when
notified].
(g) Conditions or restrictions on the placing on the market, use or handling of the products
Not required.26.1.2021 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 26/49
(h) Monitoring plan for environmental effects
Monitoring plan for environmental effects in accordance with Annex VII to Directive 2001/18/EC.
[Link: plan published in the Community register of genetically modified food and feed]
(i) Post-market monitoring requirements for the use of the food for human consumption
Not required.
Note: Links to relevant documents may need to be modified over time. Those modifications will be made available to
the public via the updating of the Community register of genetically modified food and feed.