Spain: experience of Bt maize

Spain/Cordoba - For the first time farmers’ experiences of Bt maize have been recorded in a survey published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

French parliament approves new Genetic Engineering Act

France/Paris - The week-long debate was accompanied by internal bickering among the ranks of the centre-right government and sharp criticism from the opposition.

GM opponents force research projects to be called off

Germany/Giessen - Radical opponents of genetic engineering have occupied trial fields in Giessen and Oberboihingen (Baden-Württemberg).

Rape seeds in the soil still viable after ten years

Sweden/Lund - In the study, the scientists reported a total of 15 transgenic oilseed rape plants that had almost certainly germinated from ten-year-old seeds from the release trial.

Bt maize pollen: a threat to nature reserves?

Germany/Berlin - In the future the German state of Brandenburg is to specify a minimum separation distance of 800 metres between fields of genetically modified plants and nature reserves.

State Secretary Michael Thielen: “The role of the state is to make provisions for the future.”

Germany/Berlin - BMBF discusses the future of biosafety research on genetically modified plants - Conference in Berlin

France advocates stricter regulations

Belgium/Brussels - More test criteria for the approval of genetically modified plants in the EU - six EU countries have indicated their support for the French initiative.

Time for adjustments?

GMO Safety spoke with Prof. Tabashnik about possible consequences of the appearance of Bt resistant bollworms in the USA.

Cotton pest develops resistance to Bt plants: “evolution in action”

USA/Tucson, AZ - Research on the development of resistance in six pests: in the case of one insect a resistance could be proven.

Tougher coexistence rules, more relaxed guidelines for “GM-free” labelling

Germany/Berlin - Coalition parties reach agreement. The final vote in the Bundestag is planned for the end of January

France: cultivation ban on MON810 maize

France/Paris - Committee sees unanswered questions and the need for further research.

Bt plants: no evidence that they are harmful to bees

USA/Santa Clara, CA - New meta-analysis: A group of US ecologists evaluated 25 independent laboratory studies using standard criteria.

1000 m is the radius within which a more detailed assessment is needed.’

Germany/Braunschweig - GMO Safety spoke to Ulrike Middelhoff of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).

France: New genetic engineering act in time for the 2008 growing season?

France/Paris - Cultivation approval for MON810 maize on hold. The French government submitted a draft to the Conseil d’Etat (Council of State) on 30 November.

Bt toxin: Each maize plant is different - but is that a problem?

Germany/Hamburg - Renewed conflict concerning the environmental risks of Bt maize - Greenpeace presents a new study.

Less politics, more science

Belgium/Brussels - The German minister of agriculture, Horst Seehofer, has proposed a fundamental change to the authorisation procedure for genetically modified plants in the EU. No new authorisations should be granted.

EU Commissioner Dimas opposes his own expert scientific authority

Belgium/Brussels - Dispute over cultivation authorisation for two Bt maize lines.

“Bt maize is an additional means of reducing mycotoxins.”

Germany/Nürtingen - GMO Safety discussed fungal infection in maize cultivation and different ways of controlling it with Prof. Andreas Schier of Nürtigen-Geislingen University.

Caddis-flies at risk?

USA/Chicago IL - A study by American scientists suggests that genetically modified Bt maize growing near bodies of water could be harmful to aquatic life such as caddis-flies.

France: Restrictions soon on the cultivation of GM maize?

France/Paris - The French environment minister, Jean-Louis Borloo, caused a stir when he revealed that he was considering a moratorium on the use of genetically modified plant varieties. Protests followed from seed production and farming organisations.