Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 lays down authorisation procedures for genetically modified food and feed. On 10 December 2013, Bayer CropScience LP and M.S. Technologies, LLC submitted to the national competent authority of the Netherlands, in accordance with Articles 5 and 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, an application for the placing on the market of foods, food ingredients and feed containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127. The application also covered the placing on the market of genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127 in products consisting of it or containing it for other uses than food and feed as any other soybean, with the exception of cultivation.

In accordance with Article 5(5) and Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, the application included information and conclusions about the environmental risk assessment carried out in accordance with the principles set out in Annex II to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council2 and the data and information required by Annexes III and IV to that Directive. It also included a monitoring plan for environmental effects conforming with Annex VII to Directive 2001/18/EC.

On 6 April 2017, the European Food Safety Authority (‘EFSA’) gave a favourable opinion in accordance with Articles 6 and 18 of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. EFSA concluded that genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127, as described in the application, is as safe as the non-genetically modified comparator and non-genetically modified soybean reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment in the context of its intended uses3. However, the EFSA GMO Panel could not conclude on the use of forage from genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127 as or in feed, as no compositional data on forage was submitted by the applicants. That use should therefore be excluded from the scope of this authorisation. Since forage is usually used where the cultivation takes place, no import is expected thereof in the Union and the exclusion of forage from the scope of the authorisation does not need to be accompanied by further measures.

In its opinion, EFSA considered all the specific questions and concerns raised by the Member States in the context of the consultation of the national competent authorities as provided for by Article 6(4) and Article 18(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

In addition, EFSA also concluded that the monitoring plan for environmental effects, consisting of a general surveillance plan, submitted by the applicants, is in line with the intended uses of the products.

Taking into account those considerations, the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of, or produced from genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127 for the uses listed in the application, with the exception of the use of forage as or in feed, should be authorised.

A unique identifier should be assigned to genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127 in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/20044.

On the basis of the EFSA opinion, no specific labelling requirements, other than those laid down 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 Council5, appear to be necessary for the products covered by this Decision. However, in order to ensure the use of those products within the limits of the authorisation granted by this Decision, the labelling of the products containing or consisting of genetically modified soybean FG72 × A5547-127, with the exception of food products, should contain a clear indication that the products in question are not intended for cultivation.

The authorisation holder should submit annual reports on the implementation and the results of the activities set out in the monitoring plan for environmental effects. Those results should be presented in accordance with the standard reporting format requirements laid down in Commission Decision 2009/770/EC6.

The EFSA opinion does not justify the imposition of specific conditions for the protection of particular ecosystems/environments and geographical areas, as provided for in Article 6(5)(e) and Article 18(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

All relevant information on the authorisation of the products should be entered in the Community register of genetically modified food and feed as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003.

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)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 1946/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council7.

The Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed has not delivered an opinion within the time limit laid down by its Chairman. 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,