On 10 February 1998 the Scientific Committee of Plants adopted its Opinions on four GMO products on which the Commission had requested independent scientific advice. In light of these Opinions, the Commission submitted to the Regulatory Committee under Directive 90/220/EEC proposals for the placing on the market of all four products subject to the restrictions in use proposed by the applicants. In this respect it is worth underlining that the AgrEvo swede rape and the Novartis maize are only to be imported for processing and not for cultivation in the EU.
Regarding the AgrEvo swede rape, the Scientific Committee concluded that there was no evidence indicating that the seeds of the AgrEvo glufosinate tolerant genetically modified oilseed rape, to be imported with the aim of processing, are likely to cause adverse effects on human or animal health and the environment.
On the AgrEvo maize, the Scientific Committee also concluded that there was no evidence to indicate that its use is likely to cause adverse effects on human or animal health and the environment.
On the Monsanto maize, the Scientific Committee concluded that the seeds of the maize in question when grown, imported or processed as notified, are not likely to cause adverse effects on human or animal health and the environment. The Scientific Committee was also of the opinion that the risk management strategies proposed by the applicant and aimed at minimising the likelihood of insect resistance to Bt provide an adequate framework to delay the onset of such resistance in target pests. On this point the Committee indicated that it should be kept informed of the progress in applying the monitoring programme.
On the Novartis maize, the Scientific Committee was of the opinion that the import of the seeds in question can be considered as safe as seed from non-genetically modified plants.