<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Outcrossing</b><br />
Pollen production and viability were unchanged in line NK603 and, therefore, pollen dispersal by wind and outcrossing frequency should be no different than for other maize varieties. Gene exchange between NK603 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 CP4 EPSPS 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><br />
No competitive advantage was conferred to NK603, 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><br />
No environmentally toxic components were detected in NK603. CP4 EPSPS protein is not a known toxin and analogous proteins are found in all plants and microorganisms. There are no anticipated adverse effects of NK603 on non-target organisms that would be different from conventional maize varieties.</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Impact on Biodiversity</b><br />
Maize line NK603 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 NK603 to species in unmanaged environments was not a significant concern.</p>

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