Strong decrease in field trials with genetically modified plants in the EU
The number of field trials with genetically modified plants has fallen by about 80 per cent since 1998 in the countries of the European Community. This is shown by a survey of the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Karlsruhe, compiled together with the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies, Seville (Spain), and Hohenheim University for the European Commission. The reason was the currently valid EU-wide moratorium on cultivating such plants. In contrast, the area used for growing genetically modified plants world-wide increased to almost 60 million hectares in 2002. The reasons for the restraint in Europe are varied. In addition to the moratorium, which was agreed upon by the EU Council of Environment Ministers in 1999, acceptance of genetically modified products is extremely low. Considerable market uncertainties result from this for producers. It is therefore not surprising that primarily multinational, financially strong companies are active in this area. They conduct 65 per cent of all field trials. With a share of 6 per cent, small or medium-sized companies are, in contrast, much more cautious and try to position themselves mainly in niche markets. The remaining releases are conducted by public research bodies, universities or other institutions. Anyhow, the pipeline is chock-full with genetically modified organisms for agriculture in European countries as well. After an EU Directive in October last year re-regulated the release of genetically modified organisms, the European Union is expecting another surge in field tests. According to the survey of the Fraunhofer ISI, producers will at first concentrate on herbicide-tolerant plants and on strengthening resistance to insects and diseases. Plants with health-promoting substances or allergy-reduced plants for human food consumption are probably not to be expected until the next decade. Details of the study "Review of GMOs under Research and Development and in the Pipeline in Europe" can be found on the Internet at http://www.jrc.es/gmoreview.pdf(opens in new window). The study can also be ordered from the Fraunhofer ISI.The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI complements the techno-scientific spectrum of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with economic and societal aspects, analysing technological developments, their market potentials and their impacts on economy, state and society. The Institutes interdisciplinary teams focus their work especially on the fields of energy, environment, production, communication and biotechnology, as well as regional research and research policy.