Nov 24, 2008

Coexistence

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National coexistence rules

Czech Republic

Coexistence legislation is in force in the Czech Republic. In 2005 only around 150 hectares were growing GM crops. By 2008 this had soared to over 8,000 hectares (8,380 ha). According to statistics by Devos et al, the whole GM crop area is given over entirely to Bt maize.

• Safety distances for maize: A minimum separation distance of 70 metres must be observed between Bt maize and neighbouring conventional maize fields. For neighbouring organic maize fields, the minimum distance is 200 metres. If a buffer of conventional maize is planted, to be treated as Bt maize after harvesting, this distance can be reduced by 2 metres for each row of buffer planting.
• Safety distances for potatoes: A distance of between three and ten metres must be observed between fields with GM potatoes and conventional potato fields. This increases to 20 metres for organic potatoes.
• Site registration: From 2006, farmers must register plans to plant GM maize with the Ministry of Agriculture no later than one and a half months before sowing and must inform the ministry again 30 days after sowing. The notification must also be sent to the neighbouring farmers.
• Fields on which genetically modified plants are grown must be labelled, and crop records must be held for at least five years.