As the debate in the UK heats up over GM crops, new research sourced from Spain claims the co-existence between GM and non-GM crops can occur without economic and commercial problems.
A case study in Spain into GM (Bt) maize, now in is its sixth year of cultivation in the country, looked at whether approved GM, conventional and organic crops can co-exist.
"The evidence to date shows that these three types of maize production have co-existed without economic and commercial problems," said PG Economics.
Out of the current area planted to maize in Spain of 460,000 hectares, about 32,000 ha - 7 per cent - is to GM insect resistant (Bt) varieties, less than 1,000 hectares - 0.2 per cent - is organic and the vast majority is 'conventionally produced'.
The research paper said that where non GM maize has been required in some markets, supplies have been relatively easily obtained, based on market-driven adherence to on/post farm segregation and by the purchase of maize from regions where there has been limited adoption of Bt maize (because the target pest of the Bt technology, the corn borer is not a significant problem for farmers in these regions).
However, the results are not 100 per cent in the all clear. The paper reported that on two "isolated instances of GMO adventitious presence in organic maize crops were reported in 2001".
According to PG Economics, the likelihood of co-existence problems arising remains "fairly limited", even if there is a significant expansion in both the areas planted to GM crops and to organic maize.
Why is this the case? Firstly, writes the paper, because GM (Bt) maize is unlikely to dominate maize plantings in Spain, being concentrated in regions where there are significant (corn borer) pest problems. In other words, there will continue to be regions of Spain where GM (Bt) maize will not be widely planted.
Secondly, the organic maize area is likely to continue to be a very small part of the total maize crop, even if there was a tenfold increase in plantings, with a very limited economic contribution relative to the rest of the Spanish maize crop - but some changes to farming practices on some farms may be required, claims the report.
"This will however, only apply where GMO maize crops are located near non GM or organic crops for which the non GM status of the crop is important, for example where buyers do not wish to label products as being GM or derived from GM according EU labelling regulations," claims the report.
Changes in the future will probably focus on the use of separation distances and buffer crops, of non GM maize, between the GM maize crop and the 'vulnerable' non GM/organic crop.
Taking a tough stance vis a vis organic crops, the report proposes that "if it wishes to retain a policy towards GMOs that advocates farming practices that go beyond those recommended for GMO crop stewardship, then the onus for implementation of such measures, and associated cost, should fall on the organic sector".