Scale Implications for Environmental Risk Assessment and Monitoring of the Cultivation of Genetically Modified Herbicide-Resistant Sugar Beet: A Review

Abstract

Genetically modified herbicide-resistant (GMHR) sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has been cultivated in the US for several years and an application has been submitted for cultivation in Europe. Concerns have been raised about how GMHR sugar beet cultivation might impair the agro-environment.European legislation for GM plants requires, prior to their commercial import and/or cultivation, a stepwise reduction of the containment and a gradual increase in the scale of release. Experimental results gained during this procedure enter an environmental risk assessment; after the GM plant approval, a systematic monitoring of potential adverse environmental effects is required.We collected information on sugar beet biology and cultivation and the HR technology. We categorised the literature findings, evaluated the evidence of agro-environmental effects and indicated adverse effects. The impacts are directly and indirectly linked to sugar beet biology and/or to the HR technology. Most likely are a) adverse herbicide effects on field organisms, aquatic communities and soil microbial communities, b) persistence of the GM plant triggered by a potential selective advantage and/or genetic drift after hybridisation of GMHR cultivated, feral and weed beet with neighbouring beets and wild relatives, c) the increase of HR in weeds and subsequent increase and/or change in the herbicide application regime after several years of glyphosate application, and d) decline in agrobiodiversity (weed communities, herbivores, pollinators and beneficial species).Our study reveals a lack of experimental data on potential agro-environmental effects. This suggests that the principle of a stepwise scale increase of release is inadequately applied to the GMHR sugar beet approval process. The adverse effects identified should prompt further research experiments to gain information for the ERA and/or specific monitoring activities at the respective identified spatial scale levels.

A framework for a European network for a systematic environmental impact assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMO)

“…The approval process of GM crops in the EU must consider both the sustainability of agricultural systems and environmental protection goals. However, both intentions need long-term interdisciplinary perspectives and systemic assessments, including social and economic ones, for generalising possible GM crop impacts across the variable European agricultural and environmental conditions (Ohl et al 2007;Graef et al 2010;BfN et al 2011).…”

Prioritizing GM crop monitoring sites in the dynamics of cultivation systems and their environment

“…2 Depending on the crop's biology and its GM traits, however, it may also include the transportation routes and processing facilities, where viable seed may be spilled, [3][4][5] and the wider environment if, for instance, wild relatives occur there. [6][7][8] Applicants of GM crops are requested to submit a PMEM plan that comprises these aspects.…”

“…Environmental risks of the release and use of GM crops and their widespread cultivation may relate, for instance, to enhanced mortality of non-target organisms, [9][10][11] direct toxic effects, [12][13][14][15] cross-pollination with non-GM crops or related species 6,8,16 forming viable hybrids that may spread in the environment, changing agricultural practice, 14 weed flora changes 17 and the development of weed resistance through selection pressure. 18 The risks are often interlinked 11,14 and cover a wide range of environmental, agronomic, economic, and social aspects.…”

“…1 There is also a lack of understanding and reluctance for action with regard to the data generation and methodological design requirements 11 at the different scales of GM crop release. 2,8 Systematic approaches for landscapescale or ecoregion-based PMEM and research have been developed. 7,15,23,26 However, PMEM also requires a detailed farm-and field-scale design including field environments 24,27 with well-defined controls.…”

Synthesis and Overview Studies to evaluate existing Research and knowledge on biological issues on GM Plants of relevance to Swiss Environments

“…However, there are considerable differencies regarding assessment concepts, data requirements, their analysis and interpretation (e.g. EFSA, 2010a, Graef et al, 2010, Gressel, 2010, Herman, 2010, Raybould, 2010, Schubert, 2010, Hilbeck et al, 2011. Little attention is given to cost-benefit assessments and the EU regulatory approach is specifically focused on risks rather than benefits of GMO (EFSA, 2008d, Miller and Bradford, 2010, Tabashnik, 2010, which is probably one of the reasons why there is an asynchronus authorization of GM plants worldwide.…”