Planting the future: opportunities and challenges for using ... - EASAC

Contents
page
Forewordv
Summary1
1 Introduction 3
1.1 Global societal challenges 3
1.2 The strategic framework for generating and using science 3
1.3 Adopting new technologies 4
1.4 Assessing impact of new technologies 5
1.5 Previous work by national academies of science in the EU 5
1.6 Objectives and scope of the present report 6
2 International comparison of policy choices and GM experience 9
2.1 Introduction 9
2.2 Emerging trends 10
2.2.1 Agricultural production 10
2.2.2 International trade 10
2.2.3 Global trends in agricultural research and development 11
2.3 Reported impacts and the implications for science, innovation and regulation in
comparator countries 12
2.3.1 Reported impact of GM herbicide-tolerant soybean in Argentina 12
2.3.2 Socio-economic impact of Bt cotton in India 13
2.3.3 Bt cotton in Australia: a case history 14
2.3.4 Trends in GM research in Brazil 15
2.3.5 The Canadian Regulatory System for Plants with Novel Traits 16
2.4 Cross-cutting issues from international comparisons 18
3 The connections between the EU and Africa 19
3.1 Prospects for agricultural biotechnology in Africa 19
3.2 Historical influences: the view from outside Africa 20
3.3 EASAC–NASAC collaboration to seek African country perspectives on the relationship with the EU 21
3.3.1 Case studies on GM crops 21
3.3.2 What was the previous EU impact on agricultural biotechnology in Africa? 23
3.3.3 How might the EU help African countries in the future? 23
4 Connecting the evidence base and EU policy development 25
4.1 Emerging conclusions on global socio-economic and environmental impacts 25
4.2 Reforming EU regulatory approaches 26
4.3 Impact on the science base 28
4.4 Impact on new technology development 29
4.5 Public attitudes and engagement 30
4.6 Intellectual property 30
4.7 Looking forward: new challenges, new products, new strategies 32
4.7.1 Shifting pathogen populations and other environmental changes 32
4.7.2 The food crop pipeline 32
4.7.3 New applications for the bioeconomy 33
4.8 Appreciating the new realities and addressing policy disconnects 34
5 Conclusions and recommendations 37
EASAC
Planting the future | June 2013 | iii