title: Exploratory study on the presence of GM oilseed rape near German oil mills.
abstract: Seed losses from imported oilseed rape (OSR) and the genetically modified (GM) admixtures therein may potentially lead to the establishment of transgenic plants and their hybridization with wild crucifers. The post-market environmental monitoring (PMEM) must therefore also address problems related to seed spillages of GM OSR. Since detailed information on imported commodity flows, GM contents, means of transport, downstream users and efficient containment of GM OSR was lacking, we performed a field study in the vicinity of large oil mills and seed processing industries at the harbours along the river Rhine. One hundred thirty-six composite samples taken from one to 20 plants per site were collected near roads, railways and waterways. Individuals or large groups of feral OSR plants were detected in all of the nine study areas, but only one plant out of 1918 tested was confirmed to be transgenic (GT73). The results suggest that a spread of herbicide tolerant GM OSR has not occurred to date. In order to confirm the absence of GM feral OSR and potentially adverse effects of GM plants in the future, we recommend monitoring feral OSR on a routine basis. We present an approach for the sampling and testing of feral OSR that is based on floristic mapping and rapid tests for the determination of herbicide tolerances.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Landscape and Plant Ecology, Universität Hohenheim, August von Hartmann Straße 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany. Juergen.Franzaring@uni-hohenheim.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Franzaring
authors.affiliation: Institute for Landscape and Plant Ecology, Universität Hohenheim, August von Hartmann Straße 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wedlich
authors.affiliation: Institute for Landscape and Plant Ecology, Universität Hohenheim, August von Hartmann Straße 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fangmeier
authors.affiliation: LUBW, Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz Baden-Württemberg, Griesbachstraße 1, 76185, Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eckert
authors.affiliation: LUBW, Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz Baden-Württemberg, Griesbachstraße 1, 76185, Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zipperle
authors.affiliation: Ministerium für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Landwirtschaft, Natur-und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, Schwannstraße 3, 40476, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krah-Jentgens
authors.affiliation: BfN, Bundesamt für Naturschutz, FG II 1.3 Monitoring, Konstantinstraße 110, 53179, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hünig
authors.affiliation: BfN, Bundesamt für Naturschutz, FG II 1.3 Monitoring, Konstantinstraße 110, 53179, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Züghart
mesh_terms: D029688:Brassica napus / Q000235:genetics; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012639:Seeds
keywords: Containment; Glufosinate; Glyphosate; Oil crushing industry; Post-market environmental monitoring; Seed spillages