The safe and rational deployment ofBacillus thuringiensisgenes in crop plants: Conclusions and recommendations of OECD workshop on ecological implications of transgenic crops containingBttoxin Genes

Abstract

This workshop focused on the ecological implications of transgenic crops containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes. An important objective was to derive conclusions and recommendations concerning the safe and rational deployment of Bt genes in crop plants. There were extensive general discussions during the workshop, and a structured round table discussion with all workshop participants on the final day. The topics for the round table were (i) the conditions that make a crop suitable or unsuitable for Bt gene deployment, (ii) the ecological research needed to improve decisions on Bt gene deployment, (iii) the value of promoters and toxin mixtures in resistance management, (iv) the essential components of environmental impact assessments, (v) the need to control imports of crops containing Bt genes and (vi) for New Zealand and Australia, the need for national plans to conserve efficacy of Bt toxins. We have summarized the outcome of these discussions in the following conclusions and recommendations, taken from the written records of the round table. These records were circulated to all participants after the workshop for comment and correction. However, we do not claim that the following conclusions and recommendations are the consensus view of all the participants.