Syngenta supports EU in targeted certification program for two animal feed maize products
Syngenta announced that it supports the EU in a targeted certification program for two animal feed maize products for importation from the USA . This program is intended to ensure that these two products, maize gluten and brewers grain for animal feed, are certified by an accredited laboratory not to contain Bt10. Syngenta has been working closely with independent testing laboratory, GeneScan, as well as with the animal feed trade. The certification for EU importation is expected to be operational within a few days at US ports of departure.
"We respect the Commission's announcement today to ensure compliance with the existing regulations, which is fundamental to maintaining consumer confidence", said Mike Mack, Chief Operating Officer of Syngenta Seeds. "We are fully committed to continue cooperation with all concerned parties, including the EU Commission and Member States, to achieve this, including bringing this measure to its conclusion when the program is reconsidered by the Commission later this year."
Bt10 maize is genetically modified maize that was inadvertently planted in very small amounts as Bt11 maize between 2001 and 2004. The proteins expressed by Bt10 and Bt11 are identical, with the Bt gene in a different location in the maize genome; this has no impact on the safety of the maize. Bt10 also has an antibiotic resistance marker gene, which has been approved and widely used around the world for many years, including in the European Union. This marker is not active in the plant and therefore has no impact on the safety profile of the maize.
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