BMELV coexistence research programme 2007

More attacks on coexistence trial field

In a repeat of last year’s events, parts of a trial field with GM maize in Forchheim (Baden-Württemberg) have once again been destroyed. The field is part of the coexistence research programme funded by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV), which is investigating practical questions of coexistence between genetically modified and conventional maize farming.

During the night of Friday 22 June 2007, anti-biotechnology activists forced their way onto the field and trampled on some of the maize plants. As a spokesman for the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Agriculture said, a “considerable area” was destroyed. Nevertheless, it may still be possible to include the unaffected area of the trial in the evaluation.

Coexistence planting trials. Trial arrangement with test system of yellow and white maize. (Photo: FAL)

Destruction on the trial field in Forchheim (Photo from 2006). The biotechnology opponents, who call themselves the "Vereinigung autonomer Bienen" (association of autonomous bees) published a letter announcing “an early end to all trials with genetically modified plants”.

The trial field in Forchheim is part of the Landestechnologiezentrum Augustenberg (LTZ) and is one of five locations at which coexistence planting trials are taking place in 2007.

The coexistence research programme of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) was initiated in 2004 by the then minister, Renate Künast. Several national and regional institutes are involved in the programme. It is being coordinated by the federally owned Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL).

The aim of the trial programme, which is designed to run until 2009, is to develop effective concepts and to test in practice how the cultivation of genetically modified and conventional maize can be organised in close proximity without resulting in significant GMO presence in the conventional crops.

Planting trials have been carried out as part of the programme since 2005. It is not only GM maize that is used, but also alternative test systems, such as maize varieties with different grain colours. This test system, however, does not provide exact measurements, but only qualitative indications for comparative studies. In order to obtain exact values under field-like conditions, it is necessary to conduct trials with GM maize.

In 2005, the first trial year, various test systems and trial arrangements were tested to see whether they were suitable for measuring outcrossing rates.

In 2006 systematic planting trials were conducted at six sites. The main focus was on minimum distances between fields with GM and conventional maize, but also on what impact buffer zones and their management have. Another topic of interest was the effectiveness of buffer planting, for instance if a field with GM maize is surrounded by a strip of conventional maize, that is harvested together with the GM maize.
Based on the experiences of last year, four different experiment designs are being selected this year. One of the issues to be investigated is the government’s planned minimum distance of 150 metres between neighbouring fields with GM and conventional maize. The project is also investigating whether the drill direction – and the orientation of the maize rows on the donor and recipient fields – has an impact on outcrossing rates.

In total, trials with Bt maize will be carried out on five sites in 2007. The total area involved is 22.5 hectares.

The results of the coexistence research programme are being incorporated in the ordinance on good farming practice for the cultivation of GM plants, which is due to come into effect in the next growing season. Federal Agriculture Minister Seehofer has presented a first draft.

More attacks on coexistence trial field

More from GMO Safety