On GM Crops and Bees

In the spring of 2007, a novel kind of bee colony die-off was reported in the US. The phenomenon, termed "colony collapse disorder CCD", could result in loses of up to 90% in some bee hives. In several European countries, like Germany and Switzerland, similar observations were made. Scientists have researched possible causes of the decimation of bee populations, and analyzed whether the use of genetically modified (GM) plants could be a factor. A study conducted at the University of Jena from 2001 to 2004 that examined the effects of pollen from GM Bt maize on bees found no evidence of a "toxic effect of Bt corn on healthy honeybee populations".

"So far, no evidence for direct or indirect damages to bees by currently approved GM crops has been reported in the scientific literature. This is the result of numerous experiments in the laboratory or the field, in some of which the exposure towards GM crops or their products possible under natural conditions has been strongly exaggerated" writes Professor Klaus-Dieter Jany. Recently, a local court presiding over a case filed by two beekeepers and eight agricultural organizations against a GM maize farmer in France ruled in favor of the farmer.

For more information, contact n.moll@europabio.org.