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.

Imported viruses are likely cause of bee death

USA/Washington DC - Scientists have found a possible cause of the bee death phenomenon in North America.

Minimum separation of 150 and 300 metres for GM maize

Germany/Berlin - Amendment to genetic engineering legislation.

EFSA: Transgenic DNA is digested the same way as other DNA

Italy/Parma - No fragments of genes or proteins from GM plants have been found in edible animal products.

Ten million euros for biosafety research

Germany/Berlin - The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will once again provide funding for biosafety research in the area of plant genetic engineering.

Western corn rootworm now in Germany

Germany/Stuttgart - The Western corn rootworm was found in Germany for the first time on 23 July in the Lahr region.

“Bees use maize pollen only when there are no alternatives.”

Germany/Braunschweig - The Braunschweig administrative court has refused a fast-track appeal against the cultivation of genetically modified Bt maize. GMO Safety spoke to the biosafety project leader, Prof. Hans-Hinrich Kaatz.

EFSA stands by its opinion: Bt maize MON863 - No concerns

Italy/Parma - The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published an opinion in which it once again assesses genetically modified MON863 Bt maize as safe for humans, animals and the environment.

More attacks on coexistence trial field

Germany/Forchheim - The field is part of the coexistence research programme funded by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV).

More destruction on barley trial field

Germany/Giessen - Once again, parts of a trial field on land belonging to the University of Giessen have been destroyed. The trial will be continued this year again.

“There are enough data available to draw empirically sound conclusions.”

USA/Santa Clara, CA - A group of US-American ecologists compiled a meta-study: the scientists assessed 42 individual studies of the possible effects of Bt plants on non-target organisms.

“Statistically significant differences occur in practically all feeding studies”

Germany/Berlin - In March 2007 the insect-resistant Bt maize variety MON863 became the focus of public debate again. Interview with Marianna Schauzu of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

“The variations are within a biologically explainable range.”

Germany/Hamburg - Greenpeace has carried out measurements to check the Bt concentration in GM maize plants and found that the Bt levels varied considerably. Interview with Johannes Jehle about Greenpeace’s measurements.

New risks to the environment? Confusion surrounds BVL notification.

Germany/Berlin - The sale of seed of the genetically modified maize variety MON810 is prohibited in Germany with immediate effect until such time as the producer, Monsanto, submits an up-to-date monitoring plan.