Nov 24, 2008

Coexistence

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National coexistence rules

The Netherlands

The Dutch government asked the social groups and associations concerned to draw up coexistence rules. The results of the van Dijk Commission set up for this purpose were presented in November 2004. On the basis of this agreement, the central market association for arable farming (Hoofdproductschap Akkerbouw, HPA) produced a coexistence decree. The Dutch government has submitted this decree to the EU for notification. A fund has been set up to cover liability claims. In July 2008 the various members of the coexistence working group agreed on detailed rules governing claims.

The key points:

• Minimum distances: Potatoes three metres (ten metres from organic and guaranteed “GM-free” fields), sugar beet 1.5 metres (or three metres from organic/GM-free fields), maize 25 metres (or 250 metres); oilseed rape: no precise figures as yet.
• Farmers who want to plant GM crops must inform neighbouring farmers of their plans by 31 January of the growing year in question. If a neighbouring farmer follows organic farming principles or has guaranteed to supply his customers with GM-free produce, he must inform the GM farmer of this fact within two weeks. This enables the GM farmer to allow for the greater minimum distances in time.
• Farmers who want to plant GM crops must register the fields in a national register before sowing and no later than 1 February of the year in question.
• Farmers must complete training and be certified as GMO farmers before they can plant GM crops.
• Liability: GM farmers are exempt from claims from their neighbours arising from GMO-related economic losses provided they have observed the coexistence rules. Losses that cannot be traced back to culpable behaviour on the part of a GM farmer are compensated from a fund. Seed growers, breeders, farmers (including organic farmers) and processors all contribute to the fund. In the initial phase the state will also be contributing.