(1)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/701 (2) authorised the placing on the market of food containing or consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73, with the exception of isolated seed protein, and feed produced from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73.

(2)

On 19 February 2021, Bayer Agriculture BV, based in Belgium, submitted an application on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States, to the Commission, in accordance with Article 11(3) and Article 23(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, for the renewal of that authorisation.

(3)

On 19 February 2021, Bayer Agriculture BV, based in Belgium, submitted an application on behalf of Bayer CropScience LP, based in the United States, to the Commission, in accordance with Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, for modification of the terms of the authorisation granted by Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/701, regarding the placing on the market of isolated seed protein produced from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for food.

(4)

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1385 (3) renewed the authorisation for the placing on the market of feed containing or consisting of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 and products containing or consisting of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for uses other than food and feed, with the exception of cultivation.

(5)

On 6 October 2022, the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) issued a favourable opinion (4) on the assessment of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for renewal authorisation in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The Authority concluded that the renewal application did not contain any new hazards, modified exposure or scientific uncertainties that would change the conclusions of the original risk assessment on genetically modified oilseed rape GT73, adopted by the Authority in 2004 (5).

(6)

The Authority also concluded that the monitoring plan for the environmental effects, consisting of general surveillance plan, submitted by the applicant, is in line with the intended uses of the products.

(7)

On 4 November 2022, the Authority issued a favourable opinion (6) on the assessment of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 for placing on the market of isolated seed protein for food in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. The Authority concluded that genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 is as safe as its conventional counterpart with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment, and that those conclusions also apply to the placing on the food market of isolated seed protein produced from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73.

(8)

In both opinions, 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 Article 6(4) and Article 18(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

(9)

Taking into account those considerations, the authorisation for the placing on the market of the products covered by Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/701 should be renewed and the placing on the market of isolated seed protein for food from genetically modified GT73 should be authorised.

(10)

On 4 November 2022, the applicant Bayer Agriculture BV asked the Commission to merge into a single authorisation the uses of genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 covered by the renewal application for food containing or consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73, with the exception of isolated seed protein, and feed produced from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73, the application for placing on the market of isolated seed protein from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 and the uses of this genetically modified oilseed rape covered by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1385. By a letter dated 31 January 2023, the Commission informed the applicant that the merger would take effect through the extension of the scope of Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1385 to the products concerned by the renewal application and application for placing on the market of isolated seed protein from this genetically modified oilseed rape of 19 February 2021.

(11)

As the request of the applicant is justified in the interest of simplification, Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1385 should be amended to incorporate into its scope the products currently covered by Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/701 and isolated seed protein for food from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73.

(12)

A unique identifier has been assigned to genetically modified oilseed rape GT73, in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2004 (7), in the context of its initial authorisation by Commission Implementing Decision 2005/635/EC (8). That unique identifier should continue to be used.

(13)

Based on the opinions of the Authority, no specific labelling requirements, other than those provided for in Article 13(1) and Article 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 (9), appear to be necessary for the products covered by this Decision. However, 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 oilseed rape GT73, with the exception of foods and food ingredients, should contain a clear indication that they are not intended for cultivation.

(14)

All relevant information on the authorisation products 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)

Implementing Decision (EU) 2015/701 should be repealed.

(16)

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), point (c), of Regulation (EC) No 1946/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (10).

(17)

The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed did not deliver an opinion within the time limit laid by the Chair. 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,

(1)

the title is replaced by the following:

‘Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1385 of 17 August 2021 authorising the placing on the market of food and feed containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape GT73 (MON-ØØØ73-7) pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council’;

(2)

Article 2 is replaced by the following:

(3)

in Article 3, the second paragraph is replaced by the following:

‘The words “not for cultivation” shall appear on the label of and in the documents accompanying products containing or consisting of genetically modified oilseed rape as referred to in Article 1, with the exception of products referred to in Article 2, point (a).’;

(4)

Article 9 is replaced by the following:

(5)

the Annex is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.