1. Biotechnology and the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops are providing new opportunities for increasing crop productivity and tackling agricultural problems, such as pests and diseases, abiotic stresses and nutritional limitations of staple food crops. Cultivation of GM crops is changing the practice of agriculture and there is an increasing trend in planting GM crops worldwide. Plants with novel traits to produce pharmaceutical products are also being generated. The safety of GM crop cultivation and use is a topic of extreme international debate. As GM crops are being adopted in various locations with different ecosystems, agriculture biodiversity and agriculture practices; a scientifically-based understanding of the environmental effects of cultivation of GM crops would assist decision-makers worldwide in ensuring environmental safety and sustainability.
2. A three-day Expert Consultation was organised by the Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP) of the FAO to examine the pattern and scale of environmental effects of GM crops on ecosystems. The main objectives were to assess the current status of our understanding in this field, identify the gaps in knowledge, indicate priority areas and explore the potential role of FAO in this context. Sixteen specialists from a range of agriculture, environmental sector and related regulatory agencies were invited to discuss the full range of environmental effects that can be expected both from the GM crops that are under cultivation and from those that are under development. They were requested for inputs that would allow FAO to continue to assist member countries on policy and technical issues in this area.
3. The Consultation was inaugurated by Dr. Louise O. Fresco, ADG, AG who welcomed the participants and emphasised the Organisation's commitment to continue providing science-based advice to member countries on policy and technical issues. She noted the broad range of scientific expertise assembled, and felt confident that inter-sectoral dialogue would provide the best way forward to examine the full range of the effects of GM crops on the agro-ecosystem. Through a better understanding, the Organization would be better positioned to assist member countries in making appropriate choices in this area.
4. The Director of AGP, Dr. Mahmoud Solh, emphasised the need to explore the current scientific understanding of environmental impacts of GM crops, and to identify the knowledge gaps so that the Organisation can provide pragmatic, field-oriented guidance in determining the best course of action for sustaining the positive impacts and mitigating potential negative environmental effects of GM crops.
5. Dr. Peter Kenmore, Chairperson of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture, and focal point for this Consultation, introduced the Provisional Agenda which was adopted unanimously. He briefly described the two Background Papers prepared for the consultation. Thereafter, the Chairperson of the Sessions invited the speakers to present their papers. Each presentation was followed by an initiating comment from an expert on that particular theme, to facilitate the discussions.
6. The presentations of the invited speakers and the discussions that followed are summarized below along with the Recommendations of the experts. The Provisional Agenda and List of Participants are attached as Annex 1 and II and the two Background Papers1 are available separately.
1 Background Paper I: Envisioning Futures for GMO's in Agriculture: Lessons to Date and Prospects for Consensus; P. Kareiva, S.Solie, M. Marvier, 2003
Background Paper 2: Elements of a Framework for Environmental Monitoring of Genetically Modified Crops; R.Laing, 2003
