German CSU politician supports re-think on transgenic corn
By Christian Schneider
Sueddeutsche Zeitung, 24 May 2006
Translated by Mark Hutcko and Stephan Nyeki, CheckBiotech

MUNICH – According to the Bavarian Farmers Union (BBV) it now appears that the CSU-party is also changing its policy regarding green transgenic technologies.
For example, the CSU general secretary, Markus Soeder, recently emphasized in an interview with the Berliner Zeitung newspaper his opposition to outdoor experiments with transgenic plants. Research in this field has to continue of course, said the CSU-politician, "but outdoor experiments are problematic, as long as the long term environmental effects of these experiments are unforeseeable."
With this statement, Soeder differs from his party colleague, Horst Seehofer, federal economy minister, who is currently preparing a new draft transgenic law. The amendment should be formulated in such a way as to support the research and application of transgenic technologies in Germany. This is also supported by Angela Merkel, the Federal Chancellor. On the other hand, Soeder explicitly points to widespread reservations among the public regarding transgenic technology.
Farming lobby
Just several days ago, the Bavarian Farmers Union (BFU) changed it's hitherto lenient position on transgenic technology. The union is urging its members to "avoid planting transgenic corn". According to an assessment by the BBV, transgenic technology currently offers "no benefits" to farmers.
This was preceded by a unanimous declaration from leaders of the farmers union in which their position on transgenic technology was likewise clearly stated. More and more farmers in Bavaria have long supported the establishment of GM-free zones similar to the Austrian model.
On the other hand, the Bavarian CSU party declined to make GM-free agriculture the goal of the state's agricultural development program. That decision led to the failure of a petition signed by fifteen thousand supporters in the state of Bavaria, which was handed in to the state parliament.
The Bavarian ministry of agriculture also pointed out to the media that "there is no change to our policy on transgenic technology". The question of liability for the planting of transgenic crops must urgently be regulated. Despite Soeders speech, the ministry of agriculture is continuing with outdoor transgenic corn field-tests on an area of about four hectares. The field-sites are exclusively on state land. The ministry emphasized that outdoor field-tests were necessary.
© Sueddeutsche Zeitung

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