Assessment of genetically modified RF3 Canola Quality (CQ) Brassica juncea (application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-158)

Abstract

Genetically modified RF3 Canola Quality (CQ) Brassica juncea was developed to confer tolerance to glufosinate-based herbicides and to restore fertility in Barnase-expressing plants. The RF3 event was originally developed in Brassica napus and has previously been assessed by EFSA in application EFSA-GMO-RX-MS8-RF3. The GMO Panel assessment of the molecular characterisation data and bioinformatics analyses did not raise issues that would require specific food and feed safety assessments. None of the identified differences in the agronomic, phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between RF3 CQ B. juncea and its comparator need further assessment, except for yield, crude fat, aspartic acid and behenic acid (C22:0), which underwent additional evaluation and were found to not raise any environmental impact and safety or nutritional concerns. The GMO Panel does not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the PAT/bar and Barstar proteins as expressed in RF3 CQ B. juncea and finds no evidence that the genetic modification would change the overall allergenicity of RF3 CQ B. juncea. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from RF3 CQ B. juncea does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals. The GMO Panel concludes that RF3 CQ B. juncea is as safe as the comparator and CQ non-GM B. juncea varieties tested, and no post-market monitoring of food and feed is considered necessary. In the case of release of RF3 CQ B. juncea material, including viable seeds, into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of RF3 CQ B. juncea. The GMO Panel concludes that RF3 CQ B. juncea is as safe as its comparator and the tested CQ non-GM B. juncea varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.