ISAAA Briefs No. 34-2005: Executive Summary

Brief Background

The Czech Republic approved the commercial production of a biotech crop for the first time in 2005 and grew 150 hectares of Bt maize. The Czech Republic imports soybean meal and soybean oil from RR soybeans. Even though statistics show most imports originate from Germany, the soybean meal comes from other countries, mostly the U.S. and Brazil. In 2004, the Czech Republic imported over 600,000 MT, a 100% increase since 2001. A small quantity of maize is also imported from the U.S. (in 2004 about 500 MT). The Czech Republic is increasing its maize area in order to reduce the need for maize imports. In 1999, the Czech Republic imported 76,000 MT of maize while in 2004, it was only 10,000 MT. Over 90% of total imported maize comes from Slovakia.

Value of Agricultural GDP: $2 billion

Major Crops:

National Maize Area (2004): 100,000 hectares

Coexistence and Product Authorization:

As a member of the EU, the Czech Republic follows the EU’s legislative framework for biotechnology. Since the EU accession on May 1, 2004, biotech food and feed products approved by the EU are valid in the Czech Republic. Provisional coexistence rules apply with 100 meters between Bt maize and conventional maize (or alternatively 50 meters and 6 buffer rows) and 600 meters between Bt maize and organic maize (or alternatively 300 meters and 6 buffer rows). These rules are valid only for 2005 as they are expected to be revised in the near term in a new decree.

Biotech Crop Field Trials*

*Under Directive 2001/18/EC (after 17 October 2002)

Menu:

• Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2005
• The Global Value of the Biotech Crop Market
• France: Bt Maize
• Portugal: Bt Maize
• Czech Republic: Bt Maize
• Iran: Bt Rice

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