May 29, 2006

 

France and Czech republic increases GM corn plantings

 

 

France and the Czech Republic, are expected to increase their GM corn plantings substantially this year.

 

Daniel Cheron, director of Vilmorin, a French seed producer expects that GM corn plantings in France would increase by 5 times from 1,000 hectares currently to 5,000 hectares.

 

The Czech Republic is also expected to increase such plantings from 270 to as much as 3,000 hectares, says Miroslav Tyl, a farming consultant.

 

The Czech Republic is now fifth among European countries that are growing GM corn.

 

Spain is the leader in terms of plantings, with 50,000 hectares.

 

A favourable experience with GM crops last season is bringing on more plantings this season.

 

Meanwhile, EU Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel said European farmers should be given the freedom to choose what crops to plant whether they are conventional or GM crops.

 

The commissioner made his recommendations during a meeting on co-existence in Vienna led by the Austrian Presidency of the EU.

 

The EU is also looking for ways to improve the EU's GM decision-making process regarding product approvals and more field experience to aid in studies and simulation data, she said.

 

Fisher-Boel said that an EU-wide legislation is not appropriate currently, as farming decisions should be made as close as possible to the farm level.