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February, 2008
Source:
GMO Compass
The cultivation of genetically modified plants in the EU is
increasing. In 2007, genetically modified maize was grown on a
total of nearly 110,000 hectares in Spain, France, Portugal, the
Czech Republic, and Germany. In the previous year, GM plantings
comprised 62,000 hectares, totalling approximately 1 percent of
maize cultivation areas.
To date, the only type of GMO grown in the EU is Bt maize. Bt
maize contains a gene from a bacterium that produces a toxin (
Bt-toxin) to defend it from the European corn borer. An insect
pest, the European corn borer primarily is present in southern
and middle Europe, and is slowly making its way north.
Regions infested with the European corn borer can experience
serious crop losses. Since biological and chemical control
methods are expensive and only partially effective, Bt maize can
be a money-saving option for many farmers despite its higher
seed cost.
|
GM maize (ha) |
2006 |
2007 |
|
Spain |
53,700 |
75,150 |
|
France |
5,000 |
21,200 |
|
Czech Republic |
1,290 |
5,000 |
|
Portugal |
1,250 |
4,500 |
|
Germany |
950 |
2,685 |
|
Slovakia |
30 |
900 |
- In Spain, a
substantial amount of the maize production is genetically
modified – it is estimated that 25 percent of the current
production falls under this category. Bt maize was first
grown in Spain in 1998, and by 2004 production had risen to
60,000 hectares. In 2007, GM maize was cultivated on more
than 75,000 hectares.
- According to official
counts, Bt maize production in France reached 500
hectares in 2005, predominantly in south-western regions. It
is thought that the actual total may have been twice the
registered area, since farmers are known to have brought Bt
maize seed from Spain. Five thousand hectares were planted
with Bt maize in 2006. Since 2007, GM cultivations must be
declared in a site register. According to this listing,
approximately 21,200 hectares of Bt maize are cultivated.
- Bt maize was first grown
in the Czech Republic in 2005. Total commercial
production covered approximately 270 hectares. In 2007, this
area increased to 5,000 hectares.
- Portugal also began
producing Bt maize in 2005 on 780 hectares. In the 2007
season, 4,500 hectares were planted.
- Since the 2006 growing
season, Bt maize cultivars have full approval in Germany
and are now ready for "normal", commercial cultivation. All
areas must be declared in a site register. In 2006,
approximately 950 hectares were cultivated in Germany. One
year later, 2,685 hectares have been registered.
- In 2006, 16 Slovakian
farmers used Bt maize on an area of just under 1,00
hectares. In 2007 an area of 900 hectares has been
registered.
EU authorisation for
commercial agricultural production of GM plants
The cultivation of GM plants is legally possible in all EU
countries. The new EU legislative framework for the approval
of genetically modified feeds and foods now has been enacted
in the entire European Union.
However, by use of regulations and decrees that also are now
in force, the cultivation of GM plants has been limited in
some member states such as Germany, Austria and Hungary.
Since such regulations by law must be based on
scientifically sound knowledge, the EU Commission
consequently has taken legal action against the national
policies of some states.
Approval - Gene Technology law
A total of three GM maize lines ( events Bt176, MON810, T25)
were authorised in 1997/98 for cultivation in the EU. Only
MON810 is relevant to agricultural production.
Approval – Seed law
Several seeds derived from the MON810 maize are approved in
many countries. Since the beginning of 2007, 51 varieties
have been found in the common catalogue of varieties of
agricultural plant species of the EU. However, not all of
these varieties may be used in all regions. In Germany, five
Bt maize seeds have obtained approval and all of them are
derived from MON810.
Coexistence
It is the responsibility of individual EU Member States to
formulate guidelines for the growing of GM crops. These
rules must be designed to allow the coexistence of
genetically modified or conventional agriculture. National
guidelines already exist in several countries.
Except for Bt maize, there are currnetly no GM plants under
commercial cultivation in the EU. |
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