Coexistence: GM and non-GM agriculture

The coexistence information system contains experiments and studies concerned with the establishment of coexistence between GMO, and conventional and organic agricultures and in the food processing.

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Coexistence

New coexistence - Guidelines in the EU: Cultivation bans are now permitted

On 13 July 2010, the EU commission decided on new guidelines for coexistence. These mark a turning point in the European policy on gene technology. Essentially, the Member States are now allowed to enforce their own concept of ‘Coexistence’. Whereas previously ‘gene technology-free zones were only possible on the basis of voluntary agreements, Countries may now prohibit the cultivation of certain genetically modified plants.more

Debate

Nationalisation of the GMO cultivation decision: “The buck has been passed to the Member States.”

In July 2010 the EU Commission introduced new guidelines for national coexistence measures. On this basis, the Member States are to have the possibility themselves to restrict or ban the cultivation of genetically modified crops to prevent adventitious presence of GM material in other products. In the future such national bans will be made simpler and more comprehensive through a change in the EU release directives. GMO Safety has spoken with Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Dederer from the Faculty of Law at the University of Passau about the room for manoeuvre of the Member States.more