The objective of this research is to analyse the way of the European Union is addressing the issue of the coexistence between conventional, organic and Genetically Modified （GM） crops production. In the European Uni...The objective of this research is to analyse the way of the European Union is addressing the issue of the coexistence between conventional, organic and Genetically Modified （GM） crops production. In the European Union, there are no form of agriculture, whether conventional, organic or transgenic, should be excluded. Farmers are free to choose the production type they prefer, without being forced to change patterns already established in the area and without spending more resources. The European Commission defines the term coexistence as the farmers＇ ability to make a practical choice between conventional, organic and GM crop production, in compliance with the legal obligations for labelling and/or purity standards. In simple terms, coexistence is a way of allowing farmers to choose between the three agricultural systems. Farmers＇ choice of growing GM or non-GM crops depends not only on technical aspects related to the productivity gains and agronomic benefits to be gained from adopting this technology, but also on consumers＇ preferences. Particularly in Europe, consumers continue to be concerned about the potentially adverse implications of widespread GM crop production for the environment and food safety. Today only 16 Member States have adopted specific legislation on coexistence. Denmark was the first European Country that, in 2004, adopted a coexistence law and it is currently the coexistence reference model in all the European Union.展开更多
文摘The objective of this research is to analyse the way of the European Union is addressing the issue of the coexistence between conventional, organic and Genetically Modified （GM） crops production. In the European Union, there are no form of agriculture, whether conventional, organic or transgenic, should be excluded. Farmers are free to choose the production type they prefer, without being forced to change patterns already established in the area and without spending more resources. The European Commission defines the term coexistence as the farmers＇ ability to make a practical choice between conventional, organic and GM crop production, in compliance with the legal obligations for labelling and/or purity standards. In simple terms, coexistence is a way of allowing farmers to choose between the three agricultural systems. Farmers＇ choice of growing GM or non-GM crops depends not only on technical aspects related to the productivity gains and agronomic benefits to be gained from adopting this technology, but also on consumers＇ preferences. Particularly in Europe, consumers continue to be concerned about the potentially adverse implications of widespread GM crop production for the environment and food safety. Today only 16 Member States have adopted specific legislation on coexistence. Denmark was the first European Country that, in 2004, adopted a coexistence law and it is currently the coexistence reference model in all the European Union.
