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30 June 2004
What is co-existence?
Co-existence generally
refers to the economic consequences of adventitious presence of material
from one crop into another and is related to the principle that farmers
should be able to cultivate freely the crops of their choice using any
production system they prefer (GM, conventional or organic). It is NOT
therefore a product/crop safety issue but relates solely to the production
and marketing of crops approved for use.
When is co-existence an
issue?
It becomes an issue only
when there is a distinct, preferential demand for a crop with specific
characteristics such as having been produced without the use of GM
technology. If there is no distinct, non GM demand, there is no (GM)
co-existence issue.
Co-existence of
different agricultural production systems is nothing new
Farm level practices (eg,
separation of crops by space and time, communicating with neighbours, use of
good husbandry, planting, harvest and storage practices) to enable
successful co-existence have been practiced by many farmers (eg, seed
producers and growers of specialist crops) for many years.
Co-existence requires
co-operation
Successful co-existence of
different agricultural production systems requires mutual respect and shared
responsibilities by all parties. Responsibility for implementation of
co-existence measures should involve both GM and non GM growers implementing
appropriate management practices.
There are five key
principles to good co-existence practice:
- Context:
It is important to determine the relative importance of different crop
production systems based on planted area, production and economic value.
These properties are important considerations when assessing the
likelihood of adventitious presence of material from one production system
affecting another and the potential impacts. Context is particularly
important to the third principle of proportionality see below
- Consistency:
Producers should be consistent in their behaviour towards the adventitious
presence of all unwanted material, including GM derived material. It is
unrealistic to expect 100% purity for any crop/product so thresholds
should be set for adventitious presence these should be consistent
across all materials and should not discriminate (eg, thresholds for
adventitious presence of GM material should be the same as applied to
thresholds for other unwanted material)
- Proportionality:
All co-existence measures established should be proportionate, non
discriminatory and science-based
- Equity:
The issue of economic/marketing liability provisions that compensate non
GM growers for adventitious presence of GM material is often raised in the
co-existence debate. Historically, the market has adequately addressed
economic liability issues relating to the adventitious presence of
unwanted material in any agricultural crop
by placing the onus on growers of specialist crops (eg, seed, organic) to
take action to protect the purity of their crops (such growers usually
being rewarded by higher prices for taking such actions). If legislation
was to be introduced that created new economic liability provisions for
any negative economic consequences of adventitious presence of unwanted
material, the same principle should apply to all farmers regardless of
their chosen production methods. On equity grounds, GM growers should
have equal access to compensation for adventitious presence of material
from conventional or organic crops as conventional and organic producers
have from GM growers. No one sector should be able to veto another
access and choice work both ways
- Practicality:
all co-existence measures should be based on legal, practical and
scientific realities and not on commercial or campaign objectives
Developing good
co-existence in your locality
The tools exist to
facilitate good co-existence. These practices have been successfully
enabling co-existence of GM and non GM crops (including organic) in North
America since 1995 without government involvement. If you apply the five
key principles and adapt these to local circumstances on a crop by crop
basis, effective co-existence practices can be developed on either a
voluntary basis (for example, crop quality assurance schemes) or, if desired
through statutory provisions.
Footnote:
These principles derive
from four papers written by Brookes G & Barfoot P (2003 & 2004) on:
co-existence case studies of
arable crops in North America,
the non GM and
organic market context in Europe, arable crops in the
UK and corn in
Spain. All papers are available on
www.pgeconomics.co.uk . For
additional information contact Graham Brookes
graham.brookes@pgeconomics.co.uk
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Co-existence
introduction
Co-existence in
North American agriculture: can GM crops be grown with conventional and
organic crops?
GM and non GM arable crops can
co-exist in the EU without problems: says new research paper
Co-existence
of GM and non GM crops in the UK can occur without problems
Co-existence of GM
and non GM crops: economic and market perspectives - PDF format
Co-existence
of GM and non GM crops: case study of maize grown in Spain - PDF format
Co-existence
of GM and non GM crops in the UK can occur without problems - PDF format
EU Commission report on co-existence
EU Paper on GMO's in seeds |
