<!-- Generated by XStandard version 3.0.0.0 on 2012-10-23T14:40:19 -->
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Field Testing</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Maize line GA21 was field tested from 1994 to 1996 in four U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Field trial reports indicated that transgenic GA21 maize did not display any abnormal characteristics, did not display any increased tendancy to weediness, and had no observable effect on non-target organisms or the general environment. Maize line GA21 retained the agronomic characteristics of its parental inbred line and differed only in its tolerance to glyphosate.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Outcrossing</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Since pollen production and viability were unchanged by the genetic modification resulting in maize line GA21, pollen dispersal by wind and outcrossing frequency should be no different than for other maize varieties. Gene exchange between GA21 and other cultivated maize varieties will be similar to that which occurs naturally between cultivated maize varieties at the present time. In Canada and the United States, where there are few plant species closely-related to maize in the wild, the risk of gene flow to other species is remote. Cultivated maize, <i>Zea mays</i> L. subsp. mays, is sexually compatible with other members of the genus Zea, and to a much lesser degree with members of the genus Tripsacum. None of the sexually compatible relatives of maize in Canada or the United States are considered to be weeds in these countries and it is therefore unlikely that introgression of the mEPSPS gene would provide a selective advantage to these populations as they would not be routinely subject to herbicide treatments.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Weediness Potential</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">No competitive advantage was conferred to maize line GA21, other than that conferred by resistance to glyphosate herbicide. Resistance to glyphosate containing herbicides will not, in itself, render maize weedy or invasive of natural habitats since none of the reproductive or growth characteristics were modified.<br />
Cultivated maize is unlikely to establish in non-cropped habitats and there have been no reports of maize surviving as a weed. In agriculture, maize volunteers are not uncommon but are easily controlled by mechanical means or by using herbicides that are not based on glyphosate as appropriate. <i>Zea mays</i> is not invasive and is a weak competitor with very limited seed dispersal.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Secondary and Non-Target Adverse Effects</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Analysis of GA21 maize determined that no toxic components were present in concentrations significantly different from the levels in non-transgenic maize. The expression of mEPSPS in maize line GA21 was not expected to pose a risk since this protein was nearly (99.3%) identical to the endogenous maize EPSPS. Field observations of maize line GA21 revealed no negative effects on nontarget organisms. These results combined with the lack of known toxicity of EPSPS suggested that the mEPSPS protein had no deleterious effects on organisms recognized as beneficial to agriculture (<i>e.g.</i>, earthworms, honey bees) or on other organisms, including any species recognized as threatened or endangered in Canada and the United States.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Impact on Biodiversity</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">Maize line GA21 has no novel phenotypic characteristics that would extend its use beyond the current geographic range of maize production. Since the risk of outcrossing with wild relatives in Canada and the United States is remote, it was determined that the risk of transferring genetic traits from GA21 to species in unmanaged environments was not a significant concern.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Other Considerations</b></p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Consideration was made as to whether the introduction of crops tolerant to glyphosate would result in a significant increase in the use of the herbicide, and lead to the evolution of glyphosate resistant weeds. It was determined that the risk of increasing the selection of glyphosate tolerant weeds was low and could be mitigated through the use of other approved herbicides with a mode of action dissimilar to glyphosate. It was concluded that there was unlikely to be any significant adverse impact on agricultural practices associated with the use of the GA21 maize line.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
