30.4.2015   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 112/16

(1)

On 14 September 2009, Monsanto Europe SA submitted to the competent authority of the United Kingdom an application, in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients, and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from MON 87769 soybean (‘the application’).

(2)

The application also covers the placing on the market of MON 87769 soybean in products consisting of it or containing it for any other uses than food and feed as any other soybean, with the exception of cultivation.

(3)

In accordance with Article 5(5) and Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the application includes the data and information required by Annexes III and IV to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) and information and conclusions about the risk assessment carried out in accordance with the principles set out in Annex II to Directive 2001/18/EC. It also includes a monitoring plan for environmental effects conforming with Annex VII to Directive 2001/18/EC.

(4)

On 16 May 2014, the European Food Safety Authority (‘EFSA’) gave a favourable opinion (3) in accordance with Articles 6 and 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. It concluded that MON 87769 soybean, as described in the application, is as safe as its conventional counterpart and is unlikely to have adverse effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of the scope of the application.

(5)

In its opinion, EFSA considered all the specific questions and concerns raised by the Member States in the context of the consultation of the national competent authorities as provided for by Article 6(4) and Article 18(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

(6)

In its opinion, EFSA also concluded that the environmental monitoring plan, consisting of a general surveillance plan, submitted by the applicant is in line with the intended uses of the products.

(7)

In addition, EFSA recommended a post-market monitoring plan to be implemented, focusing on the collection of consumption data for the European population.

(8)

Taking into account those considerations, authorisation should be granted to the products.

(9)

A unique identifier should be assigned to each genetically modified organism (‘GMO’) as provided for in Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2004 (4).

(10)

Food, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from soybean MON 87769 should be labelled in accordance with the requirements provided for in Article 13(1) and Article 25(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

(11)

On the basis of the EFSA opinion, confirming that fatty acid composition of the seeds of MON 87769 soybean and derived oil has been changed in relation to the conventional counterpart, specific labelling appears to be necessary in accordance with Articles 13(2)(a) and 25(2)(c). This specific labelling should ensure informed choice without misleading the consumers.

(12)

In order to ensure the use of the products containing or consisting of MON 87769 soybean within the limits of the authorisation provided for by this Decision, the labelling of these products, with the exception of food products, should be complemented by a clear indication that the products in question must not be used for cultivation.

(13)

Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5) lays down labelling requirements in Article 4(6) for products containing or consisting of GMOs. Traceability requirements for products containing or consisting of GMOs are laid down in paragraphs 1 to 5 of Article 4 and those for food and feed produced from GMOs are laid down in Article 5 of that Regulation.

(14)

The authorisation holder should submit annual reports on the implementation and the results of the activities set out in the monitoring plan for environmental effects. Those results should be presented in accordance with Commission Decision 2009/770/EC (6). The EFSA opinion does not justify the imposition of specific conditions for the protection of particular ecosystems/environment and/or geographical areas, as provided for in Article 6(5)(e) and Article 18(5)(e) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

(15)

The authorisation holder should also submit annual reports on the implementation and the results of the activities set out in the post-market monitoring plan.

(16)

All relevant information on the authorisation of the products should be entered in the Community register of genetically modified food and feed, as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

(17)

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).

(18)

The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed has not delivered an opinion within the time limit laid down by its Chairman. An implementing act was deemed to be necessary and the chair submitted the draft implementing act to the appeal committee for further deliberation. The appeal committee did not deliver an opinion,

(a)

foods and food ingredients containing, consisting of, or produced from MON-87769-7 soybean;

(b)

feed containing, consisting of, or produced from MON-87769-7 soybean;

(c)

MON-87769-7 soybean in products containing it or consisting of it for any other use than (a) and (b), with the exception of cultivation.