www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

The parties comprising the current German coalition are not united in their
approach to biotechnology, February 2006 translated by Mark Hucko,
Checkbiotech.

The new German chancellor Angela Merkel appears to be more open to
biotechnology than was the case with the previous Red-Green government
coalition. There are uncertainties about the correct way to relax the rules
governing the planting of genetically modified (GM) crops ? despite the
wide-spread German opposition.

Last week, the German cabinet approved only some minor regulations, but
there appears to be no change of course between this and the previous
red-green government.

Officially they are talking about a two-stage process. The current
modifications are necessary to make sure German laws conform with the
EU-laws, in order to prevent penalties.

In the course of the past year, regulations for transgenic crops have been
slowly shaping, especially concerning the possible liability fund stemming
from the mixing of pollen from GM crops with other crops.

A recent television appearance of the Agriculture Minister, Horst Seehofer
(CSU-party), left no doubts that he wants to push through the plans of
Chancellor Merkel despite the opposition of many German citizens. In public
opinion polls, the majority of the German citizens are against the planting
of the genetically modified crops.

Seehofer said that he does not want to ease the rules governing the
large-scale plantation of transgenic crops, and that he wants to continue
with a long-term process of discussion.

However the new CDU-political leaders of the new German coalition consider
it a necessity to use political pressure to make sure that the
liberalization announced by Chancellor Merkel will take place. They realize
that there is a risk that the passage of new and more liberal laws will end
up being endlessly postponed.

On the other hand, the SPD politician responsible for German research, Ulla
Burchardt, cautioned against quick decisions and said that to achieve a
balance between innovation and various interests, considerable time is
needed. Burchardt left open the question whether or not in the end the more
liberal rules will prevail.

In the meantime, biotechnology-based companies have proposed an initial
financing of a liability fond. This fond will reimburse farmers? financial
losses, if they have to sell their crops with a loss due to
cross-pollination with genetically engineered plants.

www.faz.net

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