Premium
The Biological and Agronomic (Non) Sense of Ex‐Ante Coexistence Measures
Author(s) -
Beckie Hugh J.,
Hall Linda M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2015.02.0105
Subject(s) - ex ante , flexibility (engineering) , adaptation (eye) , government (linguistics) , biology , economics , linguistics , philosophy , macroeconomics , management , neuroscience
The biological and agronomic sensibility of ex‐ante coexistence measures used in different parts of the world is reviewed. These measures need to be commensurate with the biology of the crop and the genetically modified (GM) adventitious presence (AP) labeling thresholds imposed by government or industry. Excessive and inflexible measures or establishment of artificially low thresholds are not consistent with the intent of recommendations, namely to provide growers and consumers with practical choices. In the case study of Portugal, few ex‐post liability claims have been made and GM thresholds have rarely exceeded 0.9%. Giving farmers more flexibility or decision‐making ability in the ‘who, what, where, and how’ of implementing coexistence measures has been successful. Knowledge and experience gained in coexistence worldwide should inform and strengthen future measures or policies. As such, regular monitoring, analysis, and reporting of the efficiency and effectiveness of coexistence measures worldwide would be a useful mechanism for iterative learning and adaptation. Excessive and scientifically unjustifiable measures need to be weeded out.