Switzerland has approved more field trials of genetically modified crops under controlled conditions. The University of Zurich has received permission to plant the GM barley, designed to resist fungal diseases, at a controlled site.
The Federal Office for the Environment on Thursday saidExternal link that measures must be observed to protect people, animals and other plants from the GMO trialExternal link. These include precautions to prevent the modified plants from spreading outside of the control zone in canton Zurich.
“The aim of the experiment is to gain insights into how these so-called transgenic barley lines behave in the open field and, in particular, to clarify whether resistance to fungal diseases also works under field conditions,” the statement read.
The barley has been modified with the wheat resistance gene Lr34. Researchers want to find out whether the gene can also protect corn and barley. The crop will be exposed to barley leaf rust and powdery mildew fungi to test resistance.
Researchers will also test whether the genetic modifications have any effect on crop development and yield.
The experiment has been restricted to five cultivation periods spanning spring 2019 to autumn 2023. It will be the latest in a string of trials that have taken place over the last few years. Organisations such as Greenpeace Switzerland have called for end to such testing.
Agricultural production of GM crops in Switzerland is prohibited by a moratorium until the end of 2021.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss authorities greenlight GM potato trial
This content was published on
The Federal Office for the Environment says scientists can carry out crop trials involving genetically modified (GM) potatoes that are resistant to the vegetable’s biggest threat – blight - at a site near Zurich.
GM plants in bird feed found in non-GMO Switzerland
This content was published on
Authorities have contacted bird feed importers to ensure GM seeds do not find their way into Switzerland, where a moratorium against all such crops is in place until 2021. An assessment of bird feed carried out by national agricultural research centre Agroscope has revealed that 24 of 30 samples tested contain genetically modified oilseed rape.…
This content was published on
The humble chickpea – or chana as it is commonly known in India – is a tasty legume that is rich in protein. It is used in a wide range of curries, street food and even served to devotees visiting Hindu temples. But not all the delicious chickpeas grown in the fields reach the plates…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.