Lisbon, Portugal
February 15, 2008
Source:
GMO Compass
In 2007,
164 farms in Portugal grew genetically modified maize on a total
area of 4,199 hectares. Nationally, the cultivation of GM maize
occupies thereby 3.6 per cent of the total maize area and has
tripled in comparison to the previous year. Upon examination, no
neighbouring fields were found to contain a GMO content greater
than 0.9 per cent.
The
coexistence legislation in Portugal requires minimum distances
between GM and conventional/organic fields (200 m/300m).
Portuguese officials conducted 82 inspections for unintentional
outcrossing of GM maize. In 38 per cent of probes, officials
were unable to detect GM maize in neighbouring stands of
conventional maize. In 80 per cent of all probes, the proportion
of GM maize remained under 0.3 per cent and all probes remained
below the labelling threshold of 0.9 per cent.
Officials
also polled farmers on their reasons for using GM maize. 86 per
cent of farmers cited the reduction in the application of
insecticide, 69 per cent cited better yields and, again, 86 per
cent cited the higher quality of harvested products. The results
of the surveillance with regard to the outcrossing of GM maize
towards neighbouring fields are outlines in a report issued by
the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture.
See also on GMO-Compass:
Further information:
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