Gene Flow Between GM and Conventional Maize in the Netherlands
June 5, 2008| |
Field experiments conducted by Plant Research International of the Wageningen University for the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture shows that pollen-mediated gene flow between GM and conventional maize is less likely to occur when farmers consider the agreed isolations distances between the fields. In the Netherlands, the isolation distances are 25 meters (between GM and conventional maize fields) and 250 meters (between GM and organic maize).
Researchers found a sample from the receptor field (field where samples are taken to check the mixing) with significantly high value. The most logical explanation, according to scientists, is that a GM seed was sown in the non-GM field. This is despite the strict protocol of the field experiment. Because of this, Dutch Agriculture Minister Gerda Verburg, suggests that extra measures for commercial planting of GM crops should be established, such as an obligated course for farmers.
The percentage of GM materials in the field, nonetheless, remains far below the EU agreed 0.9 percent accidental GMO threshold.
Read more at http://www.coextra.eu/country_reports/news1198_en.html
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