Report Highlights:
This report describes the trade and production of genetically engineered (GE) plant products, the use of GE animals for research purposes, and related government policies in the Netherlands. An EU-wide overview is provided by the EU Consolidated Biotechnology Annual drafted by FAS Paris.
Section I. Executive Summary:
The Dutch government and agricultural sector have a pragmatic approach towards the import and use of genetically engineered (GE) agricultural products. However, crop trials and commercial cultivation of biotech crops are effectively prevented by cumbersome regulations and by the threat of protests from environmental groups. The Dutch livestock sector depends on feed imports from third countries consists mainly of GE soybean meal. The livestock sector does not include any GE animals nor do Dutch agricultural research institutes have them for research purposes.
Section II. Plant Biotechnology Trade and Production:
a) Product Development
In the Netherlands, there are no genetically engineered (GE) crops under development that will be on the market in the next five years. In 2013, the Wageningen University is planning to start a trial with a GE potato which is resistant against phytophthora. The market introduction of this variety is not expected to be within five years.
b) Commercial Production
In the Netherlands, there are no commercial plantings of GE crops, nor is expected that GE crops will be commercially planted in the next five years. This assumption is based on the cumbersome regulations for approval and coexistence, the threat of protests and limited producer interest.
