Managing the co-existence of conventional and genetically modified maize from field to silo A French initiative Pascal COQUIN AGPM 23-25, avenue de Neuilly PARIS, France

The maize organisation since 1934  maize growers Maize in France :1,5 million ha of grain maize 1,4 million ha of silage maize ha of sweet corn ha of seed maize The A.G.P.M. : French Corn Growers Association  An economic mission and trade-union  A lobbying mission at national and international levels 2 main missions

A.G.P.M. position on the G.M. maize Maize growers must have the possibility to get all the production inputs adapted to their farm, the way of production and the markets they choosed : conventional, organic or G.M.. The G.M. technology is subordinated to precise and rigorous authorization ’s procedures conducted by scientific, lawful and political authorities  on the G.M. event by the E.F.S.A. and the national food safety agencies  on the G.M. varieties by the national Agencies in charge of the variety registration

A.G.P.M. position on the G.M. maize The G.M. varieties have assets : - on a technical view  development of European Corn Borer + Stem Corn Borer  News pests (Corn Root worm)  problem of mycotoxins - on a environmental view  reduced and reasoned use of the plant protection products - on an economic view  protection of the yield  better competitivity  real markets for G.M. maize

Brief regulatory situation  European level : one of the most strong regulation in the World  release into the environment,  traceability,  labelling,  post market control. By directive 2001/18 following 90/220 Regulations 1829/2003, 1830/2003, 65/2004, 641/ GM maize events authorised for culture 5 GM maize events authorised only for import and consumption

Brief regulatory situation  French level : - authorisation to grow the 3 GM maize events … in authorised varieties - coexistence rules : not yet at official level …but professional rules are used

: 15 Bt maize varieties authorised in France 1998 : between and ha cultivated 1999  2004 : - No commercial production, no market - Few studies on co-existence and benefits - EU rules (0,9 % for labelling) - P.O.E.C.B. : defining professional rules Bt maize production in France Background

2002 – 2004 Results Operational Programme for Evaluation of Biotechnology Crops (POECB)

 an experiment to examine traceability of GM maize crops under controlled natural conditions from field to silo Result: an analysis of the conditions governing co-existence between conventional and GM maize based on the specificity of each crop  a programme conducted by a Scientific Committee made up of experts from research and industrial organisations Project background

 Feasability study of coexistence between conventional and GM maize crops in real field conditions – thematic “pollen dispersal” – thematic “traceability”  Analysing benefits of maize tolerant to ECB and sesamia (Bt technology) and providing platforms for biovigilance studies – thematic “biovigilance”  Obtaining operational scientific information on crop traceability and economics from field to storage – thematic “co-existence management” Three programme objectives :

POECB : A three-year experiment Identical crop configuration: 0,5 to 2,5 ha of Bt maize surrounded by isogenic maize Worst-case scenario conditions to obtain maximum cross-fertilization –Bt maize and conventional maize are isogenic –Synchronous pollen emission –Conventional maize is sowed downwind of the Bt emitter crop

Results at the field level (case of representative plots) Prevailing wind direction =0.5% GM DNA 100 m 200 m Bt maize Conventional maize 200 m <0.1% GM DNA <0.1% GM DNA <0.1% GM DNA < 0.1% GM DNA = 0.2% GM DNA = 0.15% GM DNA 100 m 200 m Bt maize Conventional maize < 0.1% GM DNA 200 m < 0.1% GM DNA Cross-pollination levels in the conventional field identical in size to the Bt plot, and sowed downwind, are less than 0.9 %. LQ = 0.1% LD = 0.01%

 Setting up a Quality Management System with traceability procedures at each step of the maize chain sowing harvest transport drying storage  A controlled harvest Harvest is planned after sampling analysis to measure the cross pollination rate, Checks on maize harvester, trucks and transport  Drying and storage PCR analysis of maize batches Traceability from field to storage

Sowing Flowering Pre-harvest Harvest Dryer Transport /storage Seed purity analysis and seed drill checkl Pollen dispersal evaluation Sampling strategy & PCR analysis for harvest plan Harvester check Control procedure s & PCR analysis Transport Trailers control procedures Analysis and controls along the maize chain to better identify contamination, … … to control critical factors and ensure traceability From seed … to feed industry How to ensure traceability? Control procedures Feed industry

Trials designed to assist the maize sector Gathering scientific data

From POECB … to PACB 16 maize producers 100 ha of Bt maize 7 regions in France GM plots from 1 to 25 ha Utilisation of the scientific information gathered by POECB with a Good Practice Guide for GMO cropping, safeguarding the specificity of each type of production.

Co-existence guidelines Dissemination of technological information Information Buffer zone (10 m border strip) Cleaning of equipment Quality Management System

A basis for co-existence legislation in France Professional standard guidelines

Benefit n°1 : yield protection Economical risk : larvae number > 0,8/plt Between to ha Grain maize production concerned

Benefit n°1 : yield protection Economical interest for the farmer Yield protection level (on average) : 7 % = 70 € Cost of an insecticide treatment : 50 € Cost of the technology : 40 to 50 € Level of efficiency : Insecticide = 75 % Bt ~ 100 %

Benefit n°1 : yield protection Average situation Type1 Tr.2 Tr.Bt Yield (t)10 10,7 Cost (€) Gain (€) * Bt/other * Price basis : 100 €/t 1<Larvae number/plt<2

Benefit n°2 : grain quality (ppb) 3 examples (2005)

Benefit 3 : Reduce the impact on environment Non-targeted insects population evolution juin 12-juin19-juin26-juin 3-juil 10-juil17-juil24-juil31-juil 7-août 14-août21-août28-août 4-sept 11-sept 18-sept25-sept 2-oct Dates Bt maize Isogenic spraid Isogenic Spraying 9/07 Arvalis, 2002

Tomorrow : crop perspectives 2006 vs 2005 : Bt maize development confirmation within the European Union : - Czech Republic  ha(x 5), - Germany  ha(x 4), - France  ha(x 10), - Portugal  ha(+ 50 %), - Spain  ha(+ 25 %), 2007 and after : increase of Bt maize area based on 2006 technical results

Thank you for your attention