Swiss government wants to roll over biotech ban

(Mai 21, 2008) The Swiss government intends to roll over the national ban on the use of agricultural biotechnology for three more years until 2013.

Switzerland's agriculture will stay "GMO-free" until 2013 when the outcome of a National Research Programme (NRP59) on the benefits and risks of genetically modified plants has been concluded and the outcome is known. Programme results are expected by mid 2012.

The research programme was initiated shortly after the adoption of the current national moratorium in 2005. This ban prohibits the cultivation of genetically modified plants and the market placement of transgenic animals for food production. However, unless further action is taken, the moratorium will expire in November 2010.

The Swiss government has questioned the sense of beginning commercial agro-biotechnology before research results on the particularities of local agriculture and the environment are known. Solely on the basis of the results of NRP59 would it be possible to institute regulations for the growing of GM crops that guarantee the biosafety of genetically modified plants as well as co-existence between GM, conventional and organic production systems. The administration intends therefore to prolong the national moratorium, which also ensures that the research programme be conducted and concluded without political pressure.

Furthermore, the Swiss government sees no reason to lift the ban at all, since it has caused no problems in agriculture, in research or in international relations. Swiss agriculture rather has been enabled thereby to distinguish itself in a positive manner from competitors as GMO-free.

See also on GMO-Compass:

• Switzerland: Release trials for GM wheat approved (09/2007)

Futher information:

• Press release of the Swiss government
  (german language)
• National research programme NRP 59
• GMO Safety:
  Switzerland: National coexistence rules