Spain Agricultural Biotechnology Annual Report 2013
Report Highlights:
This report offers an outlook of the situation of plant and animal biotechnology with regards to cultivation, research, policy and the marketing environment in Spain. Spain is the EU’s member state with the largest area planted to GE crops. Spain has traditionally taken a science-based approach to biotechnology as it imports a large quantity of feed products to meet the needs of its robust livestock industry. Field trials as well as confined research on GE plants and animals are permitted, although subject to prior notice.
Executive Summary:
Bulk commodities currently represent nearly one half of total U.S. agricultural exports to Spain. Although they experience wide variations depending on market conditions and the competitiveness of other suppliers, bulk commodities exports to Spain are significantly affected by delays in the approval of biotech events at the EU level.
Spain is a net importer of grains and oilseeds as domestic production is not sufficient to meet the demand of Spain’s robust export oriented livestock sector. Spanish grain imports rank from 9 to 12 million MT and soybean and soybean imports combined amount to nearly 6 million MT.
Regarding GE crops production, Spain is the largest EU producer of Bt corn representing about 90 percent of the bloc’s total area. Spain has traditionally maintained a science-based approach to biotechnology with regards to cultivation and imports, which ultimately favors the competitiveness of its robust livestock sector.
MON810 corn has been commercially grown in Spain since 1998. Total area planted to corn varies every year based on water availability, prices paid to farmers and competition from alternative crops.Research on GE animals in Spain is permitted, but subject to prior notice and authorization. GE animal imports for research purposes are also possible, although subject of notification to customs authorities.Spain does not produce commercial GE animals, clones or products; hence there are no known exports within these categories.
The GE crops policy agenda and rules are set in Brussels at the European Commission. At, the national level no regulatory changes have been carried out other than the final designation of the members of the National Biosafety Commission and the Inter-ministerial Council for GMOs, the two bodies involved in the biotech decision making process at the national level.
Field trials are allowed in Spain. In 2013, for the first time approval for deliberate release has been requested for a GE wheat trial to the National Biosafety Commission (CNB). In this GE wheat gliadins have been silenced, so the wheat would have a low reactivity in relation to celiac disease. The product obtained from this plot, if approval is granted, would be used to conduct clinical trials with celiac patients.
