International Updates on Coexistence - January 2006
Global
ISAAA brief on global status of commercialised genetically modified (GM) crops 2005
2005 marked the tenth anniversary of the commercialisation of genetically modified (GM) crops. The global area of approved GM crops in 2005 was 90 million hectares, up from 81 million hectares in 2004 (around a 10% increase). The crops were grown by about 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries, up from 8.25 million farmers in 17 countries in 2004. The four new countries included three from the EU (Portugal, France, and the Czech Republic) and Iran. The 21 countries growing biotech crops included 11 developing countries and 10 industrial countries; they were, in order of decreasing hectarage: USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Paraguay, India, South Africa, Uruguay, Australia, Mexico, Romania, the Philippines, Spain, Colombia, Iran, Honduras, Portugal, Germany, France and the Czech Republic.
GM soybean was the principal biotech crop in 2005 (60% of global biotech area), followed by maize (24%), cotton (11%) and canola (5%).
Herbicide tolerance was the most common GM trait (71%), followed by Bt insect resistance (18%). Eleven percent (11%) of GM crops had stacked genes (crops with more than one GM trait).
Europe
The EU may refine the labelling rules for organic products
The European Commission has proposed new regulations to refine the labelling rules for organic products. The EU’s organic farming regulation allows for a threshold for “unavoidable” presence of GM organisms in organic production. Currently no specific threshold has been set for organic production. The only threshold that applies is the EU’s mandatory GM labelling threshold of 0.9%. Current EU regulations mean that adventitious presence of GM material does not preclude the use of an “organic” label. This means that an organic product containing over 0.9% of adventitious GM material could be labelled both as GM and as organic. However, the new proposal would prohibit the use of an “organic” label for products labelled as GM. It also would confirm that the labelling threshold for GM should be the same for organic and non-organic produce, “unless detailed rules foresee specific thresholds for example possibly for organic seeds”. The proposal was scheduled for the EU agriculture ministers meeting in late January 2006, although any decision on the matter is likely to take several months.
Three GM maize types authorised for marketing in the EU
The European Commission has authorised the import and use of three GM maize lines. The authorisation is not for cultivation. Two of the lines, GA21 and MON863, were authorised for use as food and food ingredients. The third, MON863x810, was authorised for import and industrial processing, mainly into animal feed. The authorisations will remain valid for 10 years, and they result from applications submitted by the producer company, Monsanto. GA21 maize is genetically modified to be tolerant to "Roundup-Ready" herbicide, while MON863 is modified to have resistance against corn root borer. MON863x810 is resistant to corn rootworm and other pests.
Asia
Iran takes lead in rice biotech
Iran has recently commercialised the first variety of GM rice. The GM rice, which is resistant to stem borers, will be for domestic use only. Iran does not export rice (it does not produce enough rice for its own needs), and the type modified is a locally important variety. This is the first commercialisation of GM rice, one of the world's most important food crops. Iranian scientists developed the crop in the Philippines at the International Rice Research Institute, a sister organisation of the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Philippines proposes amendments to biosafety policies
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is pushing for amendments to its biosafety policies, with the aim of harmonising regulations for all biotechnology products and coordinating efforts in promoting biotechnology as a means to battle hunger. The changes are hoped to speed up approval processes for biotechnology products and at the same time inform consumers on potential benefits and risks from these products.
Africa
Ethiopian endorses Plant Breeders’ and Genetic Resources bills
Ethiopia has endorsed two bills on Plant Breeders' Rights and Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge Rights. The Plant Breeders' Rights bill is hoped to enable the private sector to release new plant varieties suitable for various ecosystems in the country. The Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge Rights bill aims to encourage farmers and pastoralists to better use their genetic resources. It would also encourage investment and pave the way for using new plant varieties released abroad.
Contact for Enquiries
Dr Sharon Adamson
Manager,
Innovation Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0618
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0741
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