Releases of genetically modified maize in Belgium under review

In light of the sustainability of arable crops—including with regard to droughts and UV radiation—the Belgian ministries have approved field trials with genetically modified maize to ensure food security. The Advisory Council for Biosafety had previously issued a positive opinion. According to the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology in Ghent and the Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries and Food Research, the research objective is to determine whether maize plants produced using the CRIPR/Cas breeding technique are more resistant to climate stress and better digestible than conventional varieties under real field conditions. The field trials are limited to three years.