The Czech Republic maintains a scientific approach towards biotechnology. The area of BT corn has, however, stagnated due to difficulties marketing commercially. No major policy or legislative changes are foreseen.
Product Development
The Czech Republic is in a consortium with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and several EU new member state research institutions (like the French INRA) that has developed a bioengineered plum tree, called HoneySweet that is resistant to the plum pox virus. The consortium is now seeking EU deregulation to allow for commercial release of the genetic event. While many field trials have been successfully completed already, it is expected to take several years before the EU member states gain final approval.
Commercial Production
The Czech Republic is one of a few EU member states with a rational approach towards biotechnology.Since 2005 Czech farmers have been growing bioengineered BT corn MON 810 and in 2010 they started cultivating the newly approved bioengineered “Amflora” potato which produces a higher starch content sought for industrial application. BT corn is used in biogas production and in on-farm cattle feed, eliminating the need for commercial marketing of the product.The Czech Republic stopped cultivation of the GE potato Amflora after BASF transferred its research operations to the United States due to the hostile political climate towards genetically engineered crops in Europe.
