Genetically modified (GM) plants constitute an increasingly significant part of the crops available on the feed market. To date, the most common GM plants have been those with enhanced agronomic traits. Known as ‘first-generation transgenic plants’, they are substantially equivalent to materials from conventional, parental plant lines. Recently, intensive experimental work using genetic engineering methods, have resulted in the production of transgenic plants with substantial changes in chemical composition, these are referred to as second-generation GM plants. The main objective of such transgenesis is to improve the nutritional properties of crops by increasing the level of desirable substances or decreasing the quantity of harmful compounds in the seeds. This review discusses the use of GM crops with enhanced nutritional properties as feed materials for poultry. On the basis of the information presented, it can be concluded that GM crops with improved nutritional value, enhanced available phosphorus content, an increased concentration of limiting amino acids, or containing genes expressing transgenic enzymes or antimicrobial substances could offer poultry producers considerable benefits.

Regulators are acutely aware of the need for meaningful risk assessments to supportdecisions on the safety of GM crops to non-target invertebrates in determining theirsuitability for field release. We describe a process for developing appropriate, testablerisk hypotheses for invertebrates in agroecosystems that might be exposed to plantsdeveloped by GM and future novel technologies. An existing model (PRONTI) generates aranked list of invertebrate species for biosafety testing by accessing a database ofbiological, ecological and food web information about species which occur in croppingenvironments and their potential interactions with a particular stressor (EcoInvertebase). Our objective in this contribution is to explore and further utilise theseresources to assist in the process of problem formulation by identifying potentiallysignificant effects of the stressor on the invertebrate community and the ecosystemservices they provide. We propose that for high ranking species, a conceptual food webusing information in Eco Invertebase is constructed, and using an accepted regulatory riskanalysis framework, the likelihood of risk, and magnitude of impact for each link in thefood web is evaluated. Using as filters only those risks evaluated as likely to extremelylikely, and the magnitude of an effect being considered as moderate to massive, the mostsignificant potential effects can be identified. A stepwise approach is suggested todevelop a sequence of appropriate tests. The GM ryegrass plant used as the “stressor” inthis study has been modified to increase triacylglyceride levels in foliage by 100% toincrease the metabolisable energy content of forage for grazing animals. The high-ranking“test” species chosen to illustrate the concept are New Zealand native speciesWiseana cervinata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae),Persectania aversa (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and theself-introduced grey field slug, Deroceras reticulatum (Müller).

Genetically modified (GM) maize expressing the insecticidal protein Cry1Ab from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt maize) is the only GM crop planted commercially in the European Union (EU). Cultivation in accordance with Directive 2001/18/EC demands post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) to ensure the detection and prevention of adverse effects on the environment possibly deriving from commercial cultivation. Based on a seminar organized in Berlin, Germany, in April 2008 by the EU-funded Biosafenet project, the present paper reflects on experiences and hurdles faced during the implementation of PMEM for Bt maize. It reviews and reconsiders PMEM programs of Bt maize in view of existing experiences from cultivation, current monitoring activities initiated by Member States and applicants, proposed monitoring strategies and methods as well as potential environmental impacts of cultivation. Future challenges will arise from large-scale and cumulative cultivation of various events. This will demand optimized organization structures for data collation and integration to support further decision-making and management.

Public debate about the possible risk of genetically modified plants often concerns putative effects of pollen dispersal and out-crossing into conventional fields in the neighborhood of transgenic plants. Though Vitis vinifera (grapevine) is generally considered to be self-pollinating, it cannot be excluded that vertical gene transfer might occur. For monitoring pollen flow and out-crossing events, transgenic plants of Vitis vinifera cv. `Dornfelder' harboring the gus-int gene were planted in the center of a field experiment in Southwest Germany in 1999. The rate of pollen dispersal was determined by pollen traps placed at radial distances of 5–150 m from the pollen-donor plants, at 1.00 and 1.80 m above ground. Transgenic pollen was evaluated by GUS staining, and could clearly be distinguished from pollen originating from non-transgenic grapevine plants. Transgenic pollen was observed up to 150 m from the pollen donors. The rate of out-crossing was determined by sampling seeds of selected grapevines at a distance of 10 m to the pollen source, and of a sector at 20 m distance, respectively, followed by GUS analysis of seedlings. The average cross-pollination rate during the experiment (2002–2004) was 2.7% at a distance of 20 m. The results of this first pilot study present a good base for further assessment under the conditions of normal viticulture practice.

Monitoring is a statutory requirement for the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the European Community. Questionnaires for farmers to report on observations of effects linked with the cultivation of GM crops can form a useful part of a monitoring regime. A questionnaire for GM maize (Zea mays L.) was designed, with questions focusing on potential effects related to the GM maize grown, as well as on background information about cultivation methods and on individual field situations. In this paper we present the methodological approach of the monitoring regime, the structuring of the data, and the contents and structure of the questionnaire. The statistical requirements and background for an appropriate evaluation and interpretation of the data are described. Results of interviews made from 2001 to 2005 are also presented. It is envisaged that this approach will be developed for monitoring other cultivated GM plants and traits, and may be applicable in monitoring certain non-farmed environments.

Conventional and real-time PCR were used to detect transgenic DNA in digesta, faeces and blood collected from six ruminally and duodenally cannulated sheep fed forage-based (F) or concentrate-based (C) diets containing 15 % Roundup Ready® (RR) rapeseed meal (n 3). The sheep were adapted for 14 d to F or C diets containing non-GM rapeseed, then fed the RR diets for 11 d. On day 12, they were switched back to non-GM diets for a further 11 d. Ruminal and duodenal fluids (RF, DF) and faecal samples were collected at 3 or 4 h intervals over the 4 d immediately following the last feeding of GM diets. DNA was isolated from whole RF and DF, from the cell-free supernatant fraction, and from culture fermentation liquid. Blood was collected on days 1, 5 and 9 of feeding the RR rapeseed meal. The 1363 bp 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase transgene (epsps) was quantifiable in whole RF and DF for up to 13 h, and a 108 bp epsps fragment for up to 29 h. Transgenic DNA was not detectable in faeces or blood, or in microbial DNA. Diet type (F v. C) did not affect (P>0·05) the quantity of transgenic DNA in digesta. More (P < 0·05) transgenic DNA was detected in RF than in DF, but there was an interaction (P < 0·05) between sample type and collection time. In supernatant fractions from RF and DF, three different fragments of transgenic DNA ranging in size from 62 to 420 bp were not amplifiable.

The objectives of the present study were (1) to investigate the qualitative composition of rhizodeposits leached from soils cropped with non-transgenic and genetically modified (GM) potatoes, and disclose if there were GM-specific modifications in potato rhizodeposition, and (2) to compare these results with conventional bulk parameters of microbial activity in soil. We have raised potatoes from a non-transgenic line (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Désirée) and three GM lines, which expressed a gene for the resistance to kanamycin (DLH 9000) and a gene for T4 lysozyme (DL10 and DL12). A sandy soil placed in 340 cm3-“CombiSart” containers was used, from which the rhizodeposit was leached after a six-week growth period. The freeze-dried leachates were analyzed by pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS). The Py-FI mass spectra gave detailed molecular-chemical information about the composition of leachates, indicating that the potato growth generally altered the composition of the soil solution. Moreover, a principal component analysis of the mass spectra showed differences between the leachates from the non-transgenic parent line and the GM potatoes as well as among the latter group. However, these differences in molecular composition could not be assigned to the release of T4-lysozyme into soil. Dehydrogenase activity and substrate-induced soil respiration as more common bulk parameters of soil microbial activity failed to disclose any significant effects of the various potatoes grown. The limitations of the described rhizodeposit leaching and analysis for risk assessment of GM potato cropping under field conditions are discussed critically. However, it could be concluded that the Py-FI mass spectrometric “fingerprint” can be developed as a fast, comprehensive, highly sensitive and reproducible analytical approach to discern any effects GM-crops may exert on soil ecological parameters.

Genetically modified plants (GMPs) may soon be cultivated commercially in several member countries of the European Union (EU). According to EU Directive 2001/18/EC, post-market monitoring (PMM) for commercial GMP cultivation must be implemented, in order to detect and prevent adverse effects on human health and the environment. However, no general PMM strategies for GMP cultivation have been established so far. We present a conceptual framework for the design of environmental PMM for GMP cultivation based on current EU legislation and common risk analysis procedures. We have established a comprehensive structure of the GMP approval process, consisting of pre-market risk assessment (PMRA) as well as PMM. Both programs can be distinguished conceptually due to principles inherent to risk analysis procedures. The design of PMM programs should take into account the knowledge gained during approval for commercialization of a specific GMP and the decisions made in the environmental risk assessments (ERAs). PMM is composed of case-specific monitoring (CSM) and general surveillance. CSM focuses on anticipated effects of a specific GMP. Selection of case-specific indicators for detection of ecological exposure and effects, as well as definition of effect sizes, are important for CSM. General surveillance is designed to detect unanticipated effects on general safeguard subjects, such as natural resources, which must not be adversely affected by human activities like GMP cultivation. We have identified clear conceptual differences between CSM and general surveillance, and propose to adopt separate frameworks when developing either of the two programs. Common to both programs is the need to put a value on possible ecological effects of GMP cultivation. The structure of PMM presented here will be of assistance to industry, researchers, and regulators, when assessing GMPs during commercialization.

This article analyzes the development of notifications of genetically modified plants field trials in the European Union from 1991 to 2001, based on the data collected at the European level in the Summary Notification Information Format database. During this time period, a total of 1687 field trial notifications were received. The number of field trial notifications dropped by 76% between 1998 and 2001, mainly due to the de facto moratorium in place since 1999. Input traits (77%) dominated the field trial notifications during the last decade, while output traits were relevant in only 18% of all notifications, with a decreasing relevance during the last six years. In particular, field trial notifications on molecular farming were almost absent in the EU. Large companies focused their field trials on crops with a high grown area in the European Union and resistance traits, while public institutions showed interest in a large diversity of plants and traits. Finally, some conclusions on future impacts of the results of the study are drawn in this article.