In Spain, the public agronomy institute Irta regularly carries out evaluations of several varieties of rapeseed. Recently, they introduced into their evaluation some Clearfield rapeseed varieties, herbicide tolerant varieties modified via in vitro random mutagenesis. BASF has claimed that these varieties [which, under EU law, as they are random mutagenesis bred, are GMOs but are exempted from the requirements of the GMO legislation due to a history of safe use of these techniques] show improved yields compared with control varieties. However, these promises by BASF have been undermined by several reports published by Irta. In 2023, Irta published the results of its evaluations of eight rapeseed varieties, three of which were Clearfield varieties (Vestal CL, Inv1266 CL, DK Imove CL)8. This evaluation was carried out over three years (2021, 2022 and 2023) in the district of Girona, in Spanish Catalonia. The conclusion is clear: “the results indicate that their production [that of CL varieties] is similar to or slightly lower than that of the main conventional hybrids". The differences overall remain quite small. In the end, no variety, either hybrid or Clearfield, exceeded the yields of the ES IMPERIO control variety. Inf'OGM

 

 

Bulgaria has banned glyphosate-containing herbicides (32 are registered in Bulgaria) from all non-agricultural areas — parks, stadiums, gardens, public places, hospitals, and small gardens, according to farmer-expert network Agrolink. GMWatch on Twitter/X @gmwatch

 

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