Plants as a production platform: EFSA publishes guidance for risk assessments

Italy/Parma - European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has now described the risk assessment requirements for molecular farming plants in greater detail.

Western corn rootworm causes massive harvest losses in Northern Italy

Italy/Milan - In Lombardy, Italy’s main maize-growing region, the Western corn rootworm has destroyed 30 per cent of the harvest. Scientists are working on a biological method for controlling the pest.

"It’s not surprising that different studies arrive at contradictory results."

USA/CA - Michelle Marvier from the University of Santa Clara recommends the establishment of central and publicly-accessible databases on biosafety research and that meta-studies should be routine in the safety assessment of genetically modified plants.

Second round table discussion on agricultural biotechnology: Schavan sees progress

Germany/Berlin - The main topics were the criticisms levelled by environmental associations at biological safety research and key areas of future agricultural and plant research in Germany.

"Little respect for scientific facts."

France/ Paris - French researchers criticise MON810 ban. They come to the conclusion that there are no scientific grounds for the cultivation bans.

Renewal application for MON810 maize: Positive assessment by EFSA

Italy/Parma - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) once again assesses genetically modified MON810 maize as safe for humans, animals and the environment.

National cultivation bans on GM plants: An end to the political deadlock in the EU?

Luxembourg - Proposal: The EU member states may be able to decide whether to permit the cultivation of genetically modified plants themselves. - Coucil meeting Environment: no formal decisions were taken

New EFSA report: Adverse effects from marker genes “unlikely”

Italy/Parma - EFSA has published a new opinion on antibiotic resistance marker genes in genetically modified plants. Based thereon, BASF has called for the EU Commission to approve Amflora.

EFSA: New members for GMO Panel

Italy/Parma - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has revealed the names of the scientists that will sit on the GMO Panel until 2012. Four of the 21 panel members come from Germany.

Field research on genetically modified potatoes and barley to continue

Germany/Braunschweig - BVL approves more release trials with GM plants.

Apple trees destroyed

Germany/Dresden-Pillnitz - Biotechnology battle: Plants growing under cover destroyed for the first time.

German ban on cultivating genetically modified MON810 maize in 2009 is final

Germany/Lüneburg - Higher Administrative Court in Lüneburg upholds ruling by lower court. Decision in main court proceedings due in the autumn.

No concrete results, but “the prelude to a new dialogue”

Germany/Berlin - Round table discussions on agricultural biotechnology with 30 representatives from science, associations, politics and churches to be continued. Research and Agriculture Ministers Schavan and Aigner pleased with the results.

Nobel Laureate Nüsslein-Volhard: “The ban on cultivating Bt maize sends an alarming signal.”

Germany/Berlin - DFG/DLG memorandum on crop biotechnology: Dependable legal and social framework requested.

Braunschweig administrative court upholds MON810 ban

Germany - Monsanto’s urgent appeal rejected.

“This will have consequences for Germany as a research location.”

Germany/Braunschweig - MON810 cultivation ban.: What does the MON810 ban mean for the future of biosciences in Germany? GMO Safety spoke to the VBIO President, Rudi Balling.

“Our experiments only make sense if we use Bt maize.”

Germany/Braunschweig - After the ban on cultivating Bt maize line MON810: Can the research programme of the BMELV on coexistence continue in 2009? GMO Safety spoke to Gerhard Rühl, coordinator of the research programme.

Protesters moved from trial field in Braunschweig

Germany/Braunschweig - Research into the biological safety of genetically modified plants can continue.

Mexico: Traces of GM maize confirmed

Mexico - New discussion about consequences for landraces. Mexican government authorises experimental planting of GM maize.

“It undermines the credibility of biosafety research.”

Germany/Berlin - German agriculture minister Aigner to consider ban on Bt maize MON810