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The co-existence between transgenic and non-transgenic maize in the European Union: a focus on pollen flowand cross-fertilization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2005

Yann Devos ,
Dirk Reheul  and
Adinda De Schrijver
Yann Devos
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Dirk Reheul
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Adinda De Schrijver
Affiliation:
Division of Biosafety and Biotechnology, Scientific Institute of Public Health, Juliette Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

Abstract

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The ongoing discussion on the co-existence between genetically modified (GM) and non-GM crops becomes more important in the European Union (EU). With the recent inscription of 17 GM maize varieties in the common EU catalogue of varieties of agricultural plant species, the acreage of transgenic maize for market purposes is expected to increase in some European countries. In the EU, specific tolerance thresholds have been established for the adventitious and technically unavoidable presence of GM material in non-GM produce, and member states are elaborating legal frames to cope with co-existence. As maize is a cross-pollinated crop relying on wind for the dispersal of its pollen, technical management measures will be imposed to reduce cross-fertilization between transgenic and non-transgenic maize. Various biological, physical and analytical parameters have been identified to play a role in the study of cross-fertilization in maize. This variability may hamper the comparison between research results and may complicate the definition of appropriate isolation distances and/or pollen barriers in order to limit out-crossing. The present review addresses these parameters and proposes containment measures in order to not exceed the legal labeling thresholds in maize.

Keywords

Zea mays L.maizepollen flowcross-fertilizationco-existencethresholdsisolation distancespollen barriersGM-crop-free zones
Type
Research Article
Information
Environmental Biosafety Research , Volume 4 , Issue 2 , April 2005 , pp. 71 - 87
Copyright
© ISBR, EDP Sciences, 2005

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