The German government has agreed to new draft rules for cultivation of
genetically modified (GM) crops, including a minimum buffer zone from
conventional plantings.
The cabinet approved a draft law from Agriculture Minister Horst
Seehofer for local German rules for cultivation of GM crops which the
European Union has already authorised.

Under the rules, there must be a 150-metre gap between GM crops and
conventional crops to prevent cross-pollination. A 300-metre gap must be
kept from fields with organic crops.

Changes in the minimum distances would be permitted if neighbouring
farmers agreed.

Farmers growing GM crops will be liable to pay financial compensation
if neighbouring plantings are tainted with more than 0.9 percent GM content.

The precise form of liability is still being examined.

Seehofer said on German radio that some form of insurance for GM
farmers was being considered. The national register of GM plantings would
continue.

Germany's parliament is set to debate the draft law later this year.
Seehofer said the proposals would create a legal framework for cultivation
of and research into GM crops which the EU has legalised.

German farmers' association DBV criticised the proposals, saying in a
statement that the rules would be too complex and that a single unified
buffer zone for conventional and organic crops was needed.

The DBV also criticised the lack of detail about financial liability.
"Neither farmers nor the insurance industry has been given a sufficient
basis for the calculation of possible liability," the DBV said.

The European Union has authorised commercial production of several GM
maize varieties. But the lack of a legal framework in Germany has kept
cultivation low. Official estimates show that only about 3,700 hectares of
GM maize was planted this year in Germany, up from 955 hectares in 2006.

The draft law was criticised by environmental pressure groups. The
BUND said the buffer zones were too small and would permit uncontrolled
cross-pollination of conventional crops.

Organic farming association Naturland said the GM contamination level
of 0.9 percent was too high and that its members would be unable to sell
such crops as organic.


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