Jun 10, 2005

Research Projects

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Concept and methods for post-market monitoring of genetically modified plants. Issues not confined to a single Land or crop

(2001 – 2004) Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (BBA), Institute for Plant Virology, Microbiology and Biosafety; Braunschweig

Topic

The large-scale cultivation of genetically modified plants in agricultural practice will in future be accompanied by a monitoring system. This has been prescribed by the amended Deliberate Release Directive (2001/18/EC).

Post-market monitoring is designed in particular to record indirect and unexpected effects of genetically modified plants on the environment – effects that can only be detected during large-scale cultivation. Its purpose is to collect experience in dealing with genetically modified plants and to spot unexpected distinctive features in the cultivation of transgenic plant species and varieties as early as possible.

It is also designed to check the safety assessments regarding possible negative effects that were made during the approval process.

Across Europe, objectives, criteria and methods for the post-market monitoring of genetically modified plants are being harmonised. The aim of this research project is to draw up a monitoring plan for Germany. An important aspect of the research was the analysis of existing observation systems within agriculture. Existing activities and observation networks were tested to see whether they can be used in developing a post-market monitoring system.

Experiment description

As well as performing a coordinating function within the joint project on “Method development for post-market monitoring of genetically modified crops (GMCs) in the agricultural ecosystem”, this part-project focused on the following objectives:

Analysis of agricultural observation networks

The assessment of existing activities and observation networks in agriculture was carried out in close collaboration in particular with the working teams of ZALF e.V. (Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research), BLaU-Umweltstudien (bureau for landscape ecology and environment studies) and the BBA working group on post-market monitoring of genetically modified crops in the agricultural ecosystem.

The investigations involved the plant protection services of the Länder, the national long-term soil observation programme, the sugar beet cultivation network and plant-breeder questionnaires.

Parameters and survey methods

It was necessary to set meaningful parameters and survey methods for the monitoring programme. The following spheres of influence were given priority:

• The consequences of gene transfer through outcrossing to wild and crop species
• Possible changes to the population dynamics of weeds when complementary herbicides are used in herbicide-resistant crops
• Effects on beneficial organisms and plant pests.

Provision of long-term observation areas

Setting up long-term observation areas is considered necessary, particularly where the monitoring of possible indirect and generally delayed effects are concerned. The BBA is making available both control and reference areas for this purpose. Conventional cultivation methods have been used on the control areas with no genetically modified plants.

Central data documentation and data development

Criteria for the evaluation and appraisal of the data collected in the part-projects were developed in collaboration with our network partners and a steering committee appointed for the overall project.

Results

Contact was made with the agricultural observation networks, including the plant protection services of the Länder and the agricultural inspection and research institutes via the BBA working group on post-market monitoring of genetically modified plants in the agricultural ecosystem.

The working group held a workshop in September 2002 under the title “Parameters for the monitoring of genetically modified plants in the agricultural ecosystem”. At the workshop, the agricultural institutions presented their main activities, competences and ideas for future involvement in the monitoring of genetically modified plants. Practicable monitoring parameters and networking for data collection were discussed and drawn up in working groups.

Publications: Proposals for the structuring of a monitoring system and parameter and survey methods have been developed and published:

Integration of observation networks – preliminary result:

• Integration of institutional and private-enterprise observation programmes (data from the plant protection services of the Länder, plant-breeder programmes and landscape ecological surveys) are most feasible in the area of plant protection/plant health. The concrete merging and evaluation of this data should therefore be investigated in a follow-up project.
• The sugar beet farming organisation offers a good institutional possibility for integrating aspects of GMO monitoring. The scope of the contents still needs to be specified, and tasks assigned within the monitoring programme.
• Some of the long-term soil observation data are suitable for long-term comparison. However, making a connection here is not easy because of the size of the area and for organisational reasons.