Annual report of the EFSA Scientific Network for Risk Assessment of GMOs for 2016

The EFSA Scientific Network for Risk Assessment of GMOs (the GMO Network) was established in accordance with EFSA’s strategy for cooperation and networking with Member States. The goals of the GMO Network are to improve dialogue among members, build mutual understanding of risk assessment principles, enhance knowledge and confidence in the scientific assessment carried out in the EU, and increase the transparency of the process among Member States and EFSA. The annual reports of the GMO Network inform the public and the EFSA Advisory Forum about the specific activities and achievements of the GMO Network. During its 2016 meeting, the GMO Network discussed the following documents and topics: draft guidelines on possible derogation to existing requirements for applications of GM food and feed at low levels submitted under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on GM food and feed, Scientific Committee’s guidance on specific protection goals, supplementary guidance on allergenicity of GM plants, Next Generation Sequencing in the risk assessment of GMOs, gene drive and potential implications for environmental safety, role of sampling in the risk assessment of GM plants, EFSA's recommendations on resistance monitoring for corn borers, and potential exposure of non-target lepidopteran larvae to Bt-maize pollen deposited on their host plants. In 2016, GMO Network members attended EFSA scientific meetings relevant for the risk assessment of GMOs and contributed to the development of two EFSA guidance documents.