31.1.2006 Official Journal of the European Union L 26/17 COMMISSION DECISION of 16 January 2006 concerning the placing on the market, in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of a maize product (Zea mays L., hybrid MON 863 x MON 810) genetically modified for resistance to corn rootworm and certain lepidopteran pests of maize (notified under document number C(2005) 5980) (Only the German text is authentic) (2006/47[EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC (!), and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 18(1) thereof, After consulting the European Food Safety Authority, Whereas: Pursuant to Directive 2001/18/EC, the placing on the market of a product containing or consisting of a genetically modified organism or a combination of genetically modified organisms is subject to written consent being granted by the competent authority of a Member State, in accordance with the procedure laid down in that Directive. A notification concerning the placing on the market of two genetically modified maize products (Zea mays L., line MON 863 and hybrid MON 863 x MON 810) was submitted by Monsanto Europe S.A. to the competent authority of Germany (Reference C/DE[02/9). A unique identifier (MON-@@863-5xMON-B@810-6) has been assigned to the MON 863 x MON 810 maize for the purposes of Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the trace- ability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC () and Commission Regulation (EC) No 65/2004 of 14 January 2004 establishing a system for (') OJ L 106, 17.4.2001, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 (O] L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 24). () OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 24. ( ( ( ) 0 4 0 ’) the development and assignment of unique identifiers for genetically modified organisms (3). The notification originally covered importation and use as for any other maize grains including feed, with the exception of food use and cultivation in the Community of varieties derived from the MON 863 transformation event and of the MON 863 x MON 810 hybrid. In accordance with the procedure provided for in Article 14 of Directive 2001/18/EC, the competent authority of Germany prepared an assessment report, which was forwarded in April 2003 to the Commission. The Commission forwarded the full notification and assessment report to the other Member States in May 2003. That assessment report concludes that no reasons have emerged on the basis of which consent for the placing on the market of MON 863 as well as MON 863 x MON 810 should be withheld, if specific conditions are fulfilled. The competent authorities of other Member States raised objections to the placing on the market of MON 863 as well as MON 863 x MON 810. The placing on the market of MON 810 maize is authorised in accordance with Commission Decision 98/294[/EC of 22 April 1998 concerning the placing on the market of genetically modified maize (Zea mays L. line MON 810), pursuant to Council Directive 90/220/EEC (*. The placing on the market of MON 863 is authorised in accordance with Commission Decision 2005/608/EC of 8 August 2005 concerning the placing on the market, in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, of a maize product (Zea mays L., line MON 863) genetically modified for resistance to corn rootworm (°). 10, 16.1.2004, p. 5. ] L J L 131, 5.5.1998, p. 32. ] L 207, 10.8.2005, p. 17.