Setup, efforts and practical experiences of a monitoring program for genetically modified plants - an Austrian case study for oilseed rape and maize

Abstract

Background, aim and scope: According to the Directive 2001/18/EC, genetically modified plants [GMPs] have to be monitored for unintended ecological impacts during their release. Detrimental effects on the biodiversity of agro-ecosystems represent a prime focus of such a monitoring. Although cropping of GMPs has already been permitted in the European Union, the establishment of appropriate monitoring networks lags behind. Here, we provide an overview on Biodiversity-Nature-Safety [BINATS], one of the first national monitoring programs specifically designed and implemented to accompany and survey GMP effects on the biodiversity of agricultural landscapes.

Measuring stock and change in the GB countryside for policy – Key findings and developments from the Countryside Survey 2007 field survey

“…The majority of the British landscape is farmed (~75%) 1 which results in agricultural, economic and policy drivers, alongside other drivers, significantly impacting on both productivity and all other ecosystem services delivered by land (Swinton et al, 2007). Worldwide, agricultural management has had profound impacts on the environment (Scherr and McNeely, 2008;Stoate et al, 2009) and specifically on biodiversity Krebs et al, 1999;Phalan et al, 2011). Policy responses to the often drastic and negative impacts of farming on ecosystems and biodiversity vary both nationally and internationally.…”

“…Countryside Survey, in common with comparable national surveys (Pascher et al 2011;Stahl et al, 2011), is funded for both science and policy objectives. In previous surveys, policy interest has been primarily focused on measurements of environmental performance including changes in the extent and condition of relevant habitats and in several of the UK Biodiversity Indicators (Defra, 2011).…”

An Agenda for Austrian Biodiversity Research at the Long-Term Ecosystem Research Network (LTER)

“…The use of genetically modified organisms and associated risks for the ecosystem will also be an essential focus of future research (e.g. Pascher & Gollmann, 1999;Pascher et al, 2011). Transdisciplinary approaches that include stakeholders (farmers, foresters, hunters, people seeking recreation etc.)…”

Guidance on the Post-Market Environmental Monitoring (PMEM) of genetically modified plants

“…A range of existing monitoring networks can supply baseline data (Pascher et al, 2011) and provides the ability to compare data from a range of different sources and to indicate whether an effect is unusual and potentially adverse. In order to determine whether an effect is harmful and linked to a GMP, a specific study to evaluate the harm and determine the cause would then be required.…”