Comparative regulatory approaches for new plant breeding techniques - Workshop Proceedings

The JRC-IPTS organized a workshop on "Comparative approaches for new plant breeding techniques" in September 2011. In this workshop, the regulatory framework for biotechnology derived crops with specific focus on approaches for new plant breeding techniques in Argentina, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan and South Africa was presented by experts from these countries. Additionally, experts discussed approaches and decisions for specific groups of new plant breeding techniques. Whereas, in Canada products derived through biotechnology are treated as any other novel products (plants with novel traits, PNTs), specific biotechnology or GMO legislation was introduced in the other five countries. Experience with the regulation of crops obtained by new plant breeding techniques is very limited globally. While initial decisions have already been taken in a few countries, discussions have only just started in others. Deviating decisions (between countries and between techniques) have to be expected.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Best Practice Documents for coexistence of genetically modified crops with conventional and organic farming. 2. Monitoring efficiency of coexistence measures in maize crop production

The present technical report deals with monitoring the efficiency of measures/strategies for coexistence between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM maize crop production. The report is a follow up of the best practices for coexistence in maize crop production proposed by the Technical Working Group (TWG) for Maize of the European Coexistence Bureau (ECoB). The ECoB TWG maize held three meetings in October 2010, June 2012 and November 2012 and examined state-of-art-knowledge from scientific literature, research projects and empirical evidence provided by numerous finished and ongoing studies looking at the appropriate level of monitoring, monitoring strategy, sampling and testing issues, detection methods, analysis of results and possible follow up. The review of this information (coming from a total of 55 references) is presented in a structured manner in Section 3 and 4 of the document. The overview of the activities carried out by EU Member States for monitoring effectiveness/efficiency of coexistence measures in maize crop production (Section 3), shows a still limited experience in practical terms, due to the limited experience in commercial cultivation of GM maize in most EU Member States. However, the present report provides technical guidance to those responsible for monitoring the efficiency of coexistence strategies.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

European Coexistence Bureau (ECoB) - Best Practice Document for Coexistence of Genetically Modified Crops with Conventional and Organic Farming. 1. Maize Crop Production

The European Coexistence Bureau (ECoB) was created in 2008 by DG AGRI and the JRC to implement the Agriculture Council conclusions of 22 May 2006 in which the Council invited the Commission to engage in works related to coexistence in close cooperation with Member States and stakeholders. Among others the Council invited the Commission to identify the best practices for technical segregation measures and to develop crop-specific guidelines for coexistence regulations while leaving Member States necessary flexibility to adapt the recommendations to their specific climatic and agricultural conditions. ECoB, located in the premises of JRC Institute of Prospective Technological Sciences, consists of Secretariat (formed by permanent JRC staff and seconded national experts) and crop-specific technical working groups consisting of technical experts nominated by interested Member States (currently only one, dealing with maize crop production). The management practices for maize crop production proposed in this Best Practice Document (BPD) are a result of a consensus building process which started in October 2008. The ECoB Secretariat is responsible for collection of inputs from and exchange of information between them, analysis of the collected data and preparation of drafts of the Best Practice Document for consultation. ECoB Secretariat proposes compromise solutions on controversial issues, if necessary. This Best Practice Document was adopted by consensus within the EcoB in May 2010.JRC.DDG.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Proceedings of a Workshop on "Nanotechnology for the agricultural sector: from research to the field"

Innovation is at the centre of the EU's growth strategy for the coming decade (EU2020). New technologies and their adoption by EU farmers are essential in maintaining European agriculture competitive in a global world. Within this context, nanotechnology represents an innovative technology with great potentials in many areas of applications as diverse as medicine, biotechnology, electronics, materials science and energy technologies. Furthermore, nanotechnology is showing a great potential in the agricultural sector, in particular for the development of more precise and effective methods for disease diagnosis and treatment in crop plants. The purpose of the workshop "Workshop on nanotechnology for the agricultural sector: from research to the field", held at JRC-IPTS (Seville) on 21st and 22nd November 2013, is to review the state-of-the-art of R&D of nanotechnology for the agricultural sector and to analyse possible markets and commercial pipeline of products. The scope is on nanotech-based products with applications in crop production (e.g. applications in plant protection products, fertilisation, soil structure, nano-sensors for biotic and abiotic stresses). This workshop brought together leading scientists, key stakeholders and experts, in order to promote the presentation of research and industry results and the discussion of experiences.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Proceedings of a workshop on "Wheat productivity in the EU: determinants and challenges for food security and for climate change"

The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is starting a new research line with the aim to describe the current situation and analyze the elements affecting wheat yields and wheat farming productivity. To scope the issue, the JRC organised a workshop on "Wheat productivity in the EU: determinants and challenges for food security and for climate change" in Seville on 22nd and 23rd November 2012. This JRC Scientific and Policy Report provides the proceedings of the workshop, that covered the following topics: Session 1: Wheat productivity trends in Europe and world-wide Session 2: Innovation in production factors affecting wheat productivity Session 3: Policies and regulations affecting wheat productivity Session 4: Outlook on wheat productivityJRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Adoption of GMHT Crops: Coexistence Policy Consequences in the European Union

Agricultural and Food Policy, Crop Production/Industries,

Framework for the socio-economic analysis of the cultivation of genetically modified crops

In the future the cultivation of GM crops in the EU may increase, which can have a number of socio-economic consequences for farmers, upstream and downstream industries as well as consumers. The European GMO Socio-Economics Bureau (ESEB) has compiled topics, indicators, methodological guidelines and potential data sources to carry out analyses of these socio-economic effects. This document provides a framework applicable to any GM crop that has been or might be grown in EU Member States. Almost 100 indicators, which range from farm adoption rates to consumer surplus, have been identified by the ESEB Technical Working Group composed of representatives of Member States and with assistance from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. Evidence of impacts in the EU already exists for some crop/trait combinations both ex post and ex ante but for most topics it is very limited. Methodologies have been developed by the scientific community for many of the topics and indicators (from simple partial budget analysis to complex aggregated models). It is concluded that while methodologies are available for many of the topics and indicators, the main challenge to conducting socio-economic assessments is a lack of data.JRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Framework for assessing the socio-economic impacts of Bt maize cultivation

Bt maize is the only genetically modified (GM) crop grown in the EU for commercial purposes and so far adopted mainly in Spain. Its cultivation can have a number of socio-economic consequences for farmers, upstream and downstream industries, as well as consumers. The European GMO Socio-Economics Bureau (ESEB) has compiled topics, indicators, methodological guidelines and potential data sources to carry out analyses of these socio-economic effects. This document provides a framework applicable to EU Member States currently growing Bt maize and those potentially cultivating it in the future. Over 30 topics and 100 indicators, which range from farm adoption rates to consumer surplus, have been identified by the ESEB Technical Working Group, which is composed of representatives of Member States and assisted by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. Evidence of impacts in the EU already exists for some topics both ex post and ex ante, but for most topics it is very limited. Methodologies have been developed by the scientific community for many of the topics and indicators, from simple partial budget analysis to complex aggregated models. It is concluded that while methodologies are available for many of the topics and indicators, the main constraint is a lack of data.JRC.D.4-Economics of Agricultur

Proceedings of a workshop on "Markets for non-Genetically Modified Identity Preserved crops and derived products" organised by the JRC

The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is currently undertaking research activities in order to describe the current situation and functioning of the markets for non Genetically Modified Identity Preserved crops and derived products. For this purpose, JRC-IPTS organized an International Workshop on "Markets for non-GM Identity Preserved crops and derived products" in Seville on 21&22 June 2012. This workshop brought together key stakeholders in the supply chain, as well as leading scientists and experts active in the field of non-GM IP markets. This JRC Scientific and Policy Report provides the proceedings of the June 2012 workshop, that covered the following topics: Session 1: Situation and availability of non-GM Identity Preserved crops on world markets Session 2: Non-GM IP crops for the EU feed and livestock sector Session 3: EU demand for food products from non-GM IP crops and derived ingredients Session 4: Case studies of the use of non-GM IP crops or derived product for animal or biofuel productionJRC.J.4-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

New plant breeding techniques. State-of-the-art and prospects for commercial development

Harmonised EU legislation regulating organisms produced by modern bio-techniques (GMOs) goes back to the year 1990 and the definition of GMOs was not up-dated since. During the last decade new plant-breeding techniques have been developed. The Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission in cooperation with the JRC's Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) has reviewed the state-of-the-art of these technologies, their level of development and their current adoption by the breeding sector and prospects for a future commercialisation of crops based on them. The technologies discussed included cisgenesis, intragenesis (technologies using transformation with genetic material restricted to the species' own gene-pool), emerging techniques to induce controlled mutagenesis or insertion (ODM, Zinc Finger Nuclease technologies 1-3) and other applications such as grafting on GM rootstocks or reverse breeding. The following methods were used in the study: literature and patent searches, search in a database of field trials, a survey directed to plant breeders and a workshop with participants from public and private sector. Additionally challenges for the detection of these techniques were evaluated. The study showed that the development of these techniques is differently advanced. Technical advantages, but also challenges for the commercialisation (technical constraints, acceptance and regulation) have been identified.JRC.DDG.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom