Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
in different regions of the EU, the lack of empirical data concerning the
economic performance, yields, and costs of growing GM crops in Europe
needs to be filled, such as by using (privately or state-organized) field tri-
als experiments in several EUmember-states to collect such information.
For seed production, the threshold of GM adventitious presence is
still under discussion in the EU so that it is difficult to assess the potential
cost impact (Mess ean et al., 2006). However, the results of model simu-
lation and cost calculations in maize certified seed production in France
show the substantial effects on costs that might be caused by defining
very low thresholds on GM adventitious presence in seeds (Menrad and
Reitmeier, 2006). On the other hand, such thresholds facilitate the work
of farmers in a sense that it is easier for them to meet the thresholds of
GM adventitious presence defined in crop production.
Concerning potential insurance or liability costs of GM contamina-
tion, there is only limited empirical evidence available in the published
studies for the EU (Menrad, 2003). Generally spoken, studies are lack-
ing so far, that intend to assess the overall impacts of coexistence mea-
sures on agricultural production and the food processing chain (e.g., of
a specific country). In addition, the costs of specific stewardship or train-
ing programs for farmers to introduce and implement the suggested co-
existence measures in agricultural practice are mostly not included in
available studies (Menrad, 2003).
The differences in the developed coexistence rules at EU member-
state level as well as the relevant liability rules for market introduction
and cultivation of GMOs in the single member-states highly influence
the potential adoption of GM crops in the twenty-seven member-states
of the EU. These factors will also have a significant influence on the costs
that seed breeding companies, farmers, food processors, retailers, and
finally consumers will have to face for coexistence and traceability mea-
sures in case GM crops are widely planted and used in the EU agro-food
sector. In this sense an important target of the EU to organize EU-wide
harmonized markets will not be realized in this field unless additional
measures are taken to harmonize the rules between member-states.
