EPTA: GMO project

The global area of genetically modified (gm) crops is continually increasing. At the same time, the use of gm foods is discussed controversial in Europe. Many TA projects in Europe have reviewed und contributed to these debates. They used different approaches, as consensus conferences or scientific assessments. GM crops and foods are a major topic for the EPTA members and associates.
New regulations for gm crops and foods were introduced in the EU in 2001. The co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic crops, as well as the labelling and tracing of the GM food products, are actual topics of discussion. For the future, central questions are the sustainability of the EU regulation on genetically modified (GM) crops and food, and the problems emerging from the operationalisation of the new EU regulation.

Project’s objectives

The project results should provide information on

• regulatory challenges for the European system in the next years,
• points of public debate in the future,
• approaches for TA to handle the future issues.

Project’s approach

A combination of two major methods is foreseen to achieve the project’s objectives:

• A look in the past will be done with project reviews. The reviews will include TA projects from EPTA members and associates and other important national TA activities as national participative events.
• A look in the future is foreseen with a questionnaire survey.
  The questionnaire is indented as a broader survey on the three objectives of the project.

The Joint EPTA Project “Genetically modified plants and foods” was started in 2006 and ends 2008.