Genetically modified Bt maize does not affect soil fertility

Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) publishes results of greenhouse trials with Bt maize.

USA: Cultivation of genetically modified alfalfa fully deregulated

US Department of Agriculture: No coexistence restrictions on GM alfalfa. Organic farmers fear sales losses.

Genetic engineering experiment: From information to interaction

France: New form of public involvement in release experiment with genetically modified grapevines

Biotechnology in the USA: A policy shift on coexistence issues?

Following a ban on the cultivation of GM alfalfa in 2007, cultivation is to be approved with coexistence restrictions.

Genetic engineering per se is no more dangerous than other plant-breeding methods

European Commission publishes compendium of results of research into GM plants. Conclusion: Genetic engineering does not entail any greater risks than conventional plant breeding.

New biotech breeding methods under the spotlight – closer collaboration with developing countries

This year’s International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Organisms (ISBGMO) took place in Buenos Aires (Argentina) from 15 to 20 November

“An appropriate and well-balanced adjustment of the conflicting interests”

Federal Constitutional Court dismisses action brought against Genetic Engineering Act. Restrictive rules for the cultivation of GM crops are consistent with the German constitution.

New guidance on environmental risk assessment of GM plants

EFSA implements European Commission and Environment Council requirements. Potential long-term effects of GM plants to be assessed more thoroughly.

Disease-resistant bananas, drought-tolerant maize

Genetic engineering in Africa: genetically modified crops are cultivated in three countries - Scientists work above all on crops that are better adapted to local growing conditions

UN conference adopts international liability rules for ecological damage resulting from genetically modified organisms

Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol in Nairobi: Breakthrough after six years of negotiations – Kenya and other African states plan to use biotechnology

Bt maize in rivers and streams – ecological implications uncertain

A recent study from the US describes that Bt protein from genetically modified maize can be found in many rivers and streams. Whether this also affects insects living in those waters is not yet clear.

Genetically modified maize cultivation: Measures to avoid mixing of GM and conventional maize

EU Commissioner John Dalli presented a new report on coexistence to the EU Agriculture Council. The measures it proposes are intended to minimise the mixing of genetically modified and conventional maize. A large number of member states are voting against plans to transfer decision-making powers relating to the cultivation of GMOs to national level.

Plant biotechnology: German states to issue their own cultivation rules – GMO bans through the back door?

The German government is planning to make further changes to Germany’s Genetic Engineering Act. At the heart of the changes is a proposal that the federal states should be able to set their own minimum distances between fields growing GM maize and those growing conventional maize. However, even within the government coalition the plans are proving controversial.

US court bans GM sugar beet: Cultivation to take place under controlled conditions?

US court bans GM sugar beet - The USDA is planning to pass measures to allow restricted cultivation under controlled conditions. Tom Vilsack, US Agriculture Secretary: “The further USDA’s continuing efforts to enable coexistence among conventional, organic and biotechnology production systems.”

New study: Bt maize not harmful to ladybirds

Genetically modified maize has no harmful impacts on the two-spotted ladybird. This is the finding of a scientific study published in August 2010. It contradicts a similar study published in 2008, which the German minister of agriculture, Ilse Aigner, cited when justifying the German ban on cultivating MON810 Bt maize.

Western corn rootworm found in North Rhine-Westphalia for the first time

The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Agriculture announced that eight Western corn rootworm specimens had been found in Cologne. Until then, the beetle had been found only in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

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.

Quality standards for safety research – Environmental groups pull out

Biosafety research was at the heart of the fourth round table on plant genetics at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). As always, opinion differ widely on the subject. The environmental groups pulled out of the meeting shortly before it was due to be held on 7 July 2010 in Berlin.

Cultivation of genetically modified crops: European Commission plans renationalisation

On 13 July the European Commission will decide on new regulations for plant genetic engineering. The key issue is that EU member states are to be granted the freedom to ban the cultivation of genetically modified crops on their own territory.

"The phenomenon is as old as crop protection itself"

In China and USA were a number of reports of secondary pests in Bt plants. Their natural competitors have been decimated through cultivation of Bt maize. Does the cultivation of Bt crops entail risks that have been overlooked until now? Questions put to Johannes Jehle.