Brno - In some countries you see demonstrations and public debates about genetically modified crops, but the Czech public seems to not be concerned about this controversial subject. This is despite the fact that the country is one of the largest producers of GM crops in the world.
The number of hectares used in the Czech Republic for growing genetically modified corn is quickly increasing. The country has already become one of the European superpowers in terms of GM corn.
The area where pyralid moth-resistant Bt corn is raised is twice as large as it was in 2007.
Last year, this type of corn was grown on 5,000 hectares. According to Greenpeace, this year the area covers more than 11,000 hectares.
South Moravia: GM paradise
The organization also drafted a list of all localities where the crop is grown. There are 143 such places all over the country, with the highest number of GM corn fields located in south Moravia.
In the south Moravian Znojmo region the GM corn is harvested in 17 places.
Southern Moravia also holds another record - the largest single area where GM corn is grown. In the town of Rostěnice, 400 hectares are used to grow the GM plant.
Out of 288,000 hectares of corn fields in the country, 3.9 percent are used for genetically modified species of this plant.
Not for eating
Environmentalist organizations as well as producers of organic food protest against the growing of GM corn.They have been trying to convince the authorities to impose a ban on the GM corn.
A recent poll made by the Environment Ministry shows that Bt corn is used predominantly for animal feed or for biogas and ethanol.
No GM corn is allegedly used in the food industry.
In addition, agriculturalists admit that they experience problems when selling GM products., mostly due to legal obligation to keep a special register and store the corn separately.
There was even a case reported recently of a dairy shop refusing to buy milk from Bt corn-fed cows.
The second place in the EU
The Czech Republic is the eighteenth largest GM corn producer in the world. Of the EU member states, only Spain beats the Czechs.
Some EU countries have banned specific genetically modified crops on their territory. Among these are, for example France, Poland, Hungary or Austria. In Germany, the GM corn is grown on roughly 4,000 hecatres.
Growing GM potatoes, flax and plums has been tested in the Czech Republic as well. So far, the products are used only for scientific purposes.
