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NIBIOs employees contribute to several hundred scientific articles and research reports every year. You can browse or search in our collection which contains references and links to these publications as well as other research and dissemination activities. The collection is continously updated with new and historical material.

2024

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Abstract

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize MON 94804 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. (link) Maize MON 94804 MON 94804 is a genetically modified maize developed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens -mediated transformation of maize cells. Maize MON 94804 expresses a micro-RNA (miRNA) transcript, that leads to reduced levels of the hormone gibberellin in the plant. Gibberellin is involved in, i.a., plant stem elongation. Thus, maize MON 94804 plants grow shorter than other maize. The scientific documentation provided in the application for maize MON 94804 is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified plants for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO panel does not consider the introduced modifications in maize MON 94804 to imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA scientific Opinion is adequate also for Norwegian conditions. Therefore, a full risk assessment of maize MON 94804 was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel.

Abstract

The Norwegian Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has performed a preliminary assessment of an application for authorization for the genetically modified maize event DP202216 in the EAA. The scope of the application includes all uses of maize DP202216 and sub-combinations independently of their origin equivalent to the uses of any other maize grain and forage. The assessment was performed in connection with EFSAs (European Food Safety Authorities) public hearing of application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-159, on request from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency. The assessment of maize DP202216 is based on information provided by the applicant in the application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-159, and relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature. Maize DP202216 has the potential to enhanced grain yield, and provides tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicides. Authorisation process for genetically modified organisms Through the EEA Agreement, the EU Directive 2001/18/EC on deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms is implemented in Norwegian law. Norway is therefore affiliated with the GMO authorisation process in the EU. In the EU, both GMOs and derived products are regulated by the Directive and Regulation 1829/2003/EC. The Regulation concerns genetically modified food and feed and is currently not a part of the EEA Agreement. In preparation for a legal implementation of the Regulation in Norwegian law, Norway follows the EU proceedings for GMO applications. When a company seeks approval of a genetically modified organism, the application is submitted to the national competent authority of an EU Member State, which forwards the application to EFSA. EFSA then submits the application for a public hearing across all EEA countries. VKM conducts its own review of the application and sends its comments to EFSA. EFSA then completes their scientific opinion based on information from the applicant, comments from EEA member countries and independent literature. The scientific opinion is then issued to the European Commission. VKM submitted their comments on application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-159 to EFSA before the deadline January 3, 2020.

To document

Abstract

The Norwegian Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has performed a preliminary assessment of an application for authorization for the genetically modified maize event DP202216 in the EAA. The scope of the application includes all uses of maize DP202216 and sub-combinations independently of their origin equivalent to the uses of any other maize grain and forage. The assessment was performed in connection with EFSAs (European Food Safety Authorities) public hearing of application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-159, on request from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency. The assessment of maize DP202216 is based on information provided by the applicant in the application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-159, and relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature. Maize DP202216 has the potential to enhanced grain yield, and provides tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicides. Authorisation process for genetically modified organisms Through the EEA Agreement, the EU Directive 2001/18/EC on deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms is implemented in Norwegian law. Norway is therefore affiliated with the GMO authorisation process in the EU. In the EU, both GMOs and derived products are regulated by the Directive and Regulation 1829/2003/EC. The Regulation concerns genetically modified food and feed and is currently not a part of the EEA Agreement. In preparation for a legal implementation of the Regulation in Norwegian law, Norway follows the EU proceedings for GMO applications. When a company seeks approval of a genetically modified organism, the application is submitted to the national competent authority of an EU Member State, which forwards the application to EFSA. EFSA then submits the application for a public hearing across all EEA countries. VKM conducts its own review of the application and sends its comments to EFSA. EFSA then completes their scientific opinion based on information from the applicant, comments from EEA member countries and independent literature. The scientific opinion is then issued to the European Commission. VKM submitted their comments on application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-159 to EFSA before the deadline January 3, 2020.

To document

Abstract

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize DP23211 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. (link) Maize DP23211 DP23211 is a genetically modified maize that expresses the double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) DvSSJ1, and the insecticidal protein IPD072Aa, both conferring resistance to corn rootworm pests. DP23211 maize also expresses the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) for tolerance to glufosinate herbicide, and the enzyme phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) used as a selectable marker during development. The scientific documentation provided in the application for DP23211 maize is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified plants for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO panel does not consider the introduced modifications in DP23211 maize to imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA scientific Opinion is adequate also for Norwegian conditions. Therefore, a full risk assessment of DP23211 maize was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel. About the assignment: In stage 1, VKM shall assess the health and environmental risks of the genetically modified organism and derived products in connection with the EFSA scientific hearing of GMO applications. VKM shall review the scientific documentation that the applicant has submitted and possibly provide comments to EFSA. VKM must also consider: i) whether there are specific Norwegian conditions that could give other risks in Norway than those mentioned in the application, ii) whether the Norwegian diet presents a different health risk for the Norwegian population should the GMO be approved, compared to the European population, and iii) risks associated with co-existence with conventional and/or ecologic production of plants for GMOs seeking approval for cultivation. Relevant measures to ensure co-existence must also be considered. In stage 2, VKM shall assess whether comments from Norway have been satisfactorily answered by EFSA. In addition, VKM shall assess whether comments from other countries imply need for further follow-up. If EFSAs response to Norwegian comments is not satisfactory, or comments by other countries imply the need for further follow-up, VKM shall in stage 3 perform a risk assessment of these conditions, including conditions specific to Norway.

To document

Abstract

The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has assessed an application for approval of the genetically modified maize DP915635 for food and feed uses, import and processing in the EU. In accordance with an assignment specified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and the Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA), VKM assesses whether genetically modified organisms (GMOs) intended for the European market can pose risks to human or animal health, or the environment in Norway. VKM assesses the scientific documentation regarding GMO applications seeking approval for use of GMOs as food and feed, processing, or cultivation. The EU Regulation 1829/2003/EC (Regulation) covers living GMOs that fall under the Norwegian Gene Technology Act, as well as processed food and feed from GMOs (dead material) that fall under the Norwegian Food Act. The regulation is currently not part of the EEA agreement or implemented in Norwegian law. Norway conducts its own assessments of GMO applications in preparation for the possible implementation of the Regulation. In accordance with the assignment by NFSA and NEA, VKM assesses GMO applications during scientific hearings initiated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as after EFSA has published its own risk assessment of a GMO, up until EU member countries vote for or against approval in the EU Commission. The assignment is divided into three stages. (link) Maize DP915635 DP915635 is a genetically modified maize that expresses the insecticidal protein IPD079Ea for control of corn rootworm pests, the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) for tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicides, and the enzyme phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) that was used as a selectable marker during development. The scientific documentation provided in the application for DP915635 maize is adequate for risk assessment, and in accordance with EFSA guidance on risk assessment of genetically modified plants for use in food or feed. The VKM GMO panel does not consider the introduced modifications in DP915635 maize to imply potential specific health or environmental risks in Norway, compared to EU-countries. The EFSA scientific Opinion is adequate also for Norwegian conditions. Therefore, a full risk assessment of DP915635 maize was not performed by the VKM GMO Panel. About the assignment: In stage 1, VKM shall assess the health and environmental risks of the genetically modified organism and derived products in connection with the EFSA scientific hearing of GMO applications. VKM shall review the scientific documentation that the applicant has submitted and possibly provide comments to EFSA. VKM must also consider: i) whether there are specific Norwegian conditions that could give other risks in Norway than those mentioned in the application, ii) whether the Norwegian diet presents a different health risk for the Norwegian population should the GMO be approved, compared to the European population, and iii) risks associated with co-existence with conventional and/or ecologic production of plants for GMOs seeking approval for cultivation. Relevant measures to ensure co-existence must also be considered. In stage 2, VKM shall assess whether comments from Norway have been satisfactorily answered by EFSA. In addition, VKM shall assess whether comments from other countries imply need for further follow-up. If EFSAs response to Norwegian comments is not satisfactory, or comments by other countries imply the need for further follow-up, VKM shall in stage 3 perform a risk assessment of these conditions, including conditions specific to Norway.

Abstract

Environmental control of growth and flowering is generally well understood in raspberries, but a complete understanding of the processes is missing in blackberries. To get a better understanding of growth and flowering in blackberries, five cultivars, ‘Loch Ness’, ‘Loch Tay’, ‘Natchez’, ‘Ouachita’, and ‘Sweet Royalla’, were studied in the phytotron at 16°C and 12, 13, 14 and 15h photoperiod, and under natural temperature and daylength conditions at Apelsvoll, Norway (60.7° N). The results demonstrate that origin and genetic background of cultivars play a crucial role in how they respond to environmental signals. ‘Natchez’ had a critical photoperiod of 14h for cessation of growth at 16°C, while ‘Loch Ness’ continued to grow independently of photoperiod treatment. Photoperiod in the 12-15h range was not critical for flower bud initiation in ‘Natchez’ and ‘Loch Ness’. All five cultivars initiated flower buds before cessation of growth under out-door conditions. In both experiments, the cultivars that reached growth cessation first, also had the most advanced flower buds, except for ‘Ouachita’. Flower bud initiation in ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Natchez’ began in the mid-section of the cane and continued in both basipetal and acropetal directions. Three ‘Loch Ness’ plants from each photoperiod treatment were forced in the greenhouse after sufficient chilling to examine the flowering performance of the buds that were initiated before growth cessation. Plants at 15h photoperiod, had the highest percentage of flowering nodes, most flowers per plant and fewest days to anthesis at forcing, but all plants from all treatments developed flowers. The position of the flowering nodes along the cane corresponded to the position of the initiated flower buds dissected in ‘Loch Ness’ prior to chilling. The results suggest that temperature, rather than photoperiod, may be the main factor affecting both growth cessation and flower bud initiation in blackberries.