BASF
its metanomics subsidiary, Professor Marc van ecologists, nutritionists and anyone else involved transgenic maize cannot be used for feed in
Montagu, president of the European Federation in the crop production industry as, if the public Europe. Yet, it is used for feed in South America
of Biotechnology and Emeritus Professor at and hence the consumer has questions, then the from where Europe imports a large amount of
Ghent University in Belgium, gave a short agricultural community must have the answers meat. This, he points out, does not make sense.
presentation to conclude the conference. ready to calm any unfounded fears. Here, the professor cited the knowledge-based
bio-economy (KBBE) and, as he put it, the
Professor van Montagu, introduced by Secondly, regulatory costs need to be cut “uncomfortable truth” of how science is being
BASF as ”a pioneer in gene targeting and significantly if developing world countries are to blocked from helping humanity.
methodology”, raised numerous arguments be able to make use of the emerging technology.
for the promotion of ag biotech, highlighting He pointed out that it is not necessarily a case When asked whether a disaster will occur
his own fears regarding the levels of global of the big agricultural companies such as BASF, if GMOs are not universally adopted, the
starvation when the population hits nine Monsanto or Syngenta over-charging but rather professor succinctly answered that a disaster
will not occur in the immediate future but
rather in ten to 20 years. By then however, it
will be too late as it takes ten to 20 years to
develop such crops, he stated. From this he
made clear his beliefs that action should take
place now, lest time remove the opportunity
from human hands.
Professor van Montagu’s presentation was not,
consequently, issuing anything new, but rather
was stressing his belief, shared by BASF, that
ag biotech is absolutely necessary in order
11/05/07 to sustain this planet’s increasing population. SGS_colour 11/5/07 12:08 Page 1
He was accused at one point of producing an
over-hyped and over-emotional speech, yet
he appears simply to have relied on the facts
to support his case. It is perhaps because
these facts are so damning of the current EU
and NGO policy towards ag biotech that his
Canola, which is being targeted to produce Omega 3 fatty acids enthusiasm was misinterpreted by some for
scientific zeal.
billion. Many of the arguments presented excessive regulations are forcing companies to
had already been put forward by BASF itself, charge prices that developing world customers However, with products such as Amflora ready
but more importantly, Professor van Montagu are unable to afford. for cultivation and other innovative GM crops
also stressed that in order for ag biotech to in the pipeline, BASF Plant Science looks to
sufficiently fulfil its potential, drastic changes Finally, he highlighted the inconsistencies be in a strong position to pioneer this new
need to be made to the policies surrounding prevalent in current EU policy. At present, technology and to take advantage of
its application. Europe is largely closed to GM crops, with only its opportunities.
Bt maize allowed to be cultivated, despite
Firstly, he believes there is a need for much numerous other products ready and waiting Simon Varcoe is a contributing writer to Agrow
better communication between agronomists, to be approved for cultivation. Furthermore, Biotech News and the Agrow website.
Please visit us at the BCPC, booth 69
 December 2007  •  www.agrow.com
ADVERTISEMENT TIME SHEET Publication: Agrow magazine
Date output: 11/05/07 Company: SGS
Reference: Oct/SGS_colour/9/10/06
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