The Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP; Belgium), la Comision Nacional de Bioseguridad (Spain), the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (the United Kingdom) and the Netherlands Commission on Genetic Modification are organising a workshop on the assessment of potential adverse effects of multiple Bt proteins on non-target organisms (NTOs).

In recent years numerous GM crops expressing multiple Bt genes have entered the authorisation process. The stacking of Bt genes leads to new questions for risk assessment that have not been answered yet:

• Can Bt proteins interact?
• Are effects on NTOs due to the combination of Bt proteins to be expected?
• Should we take possible interactions into account in the risk assessment?
• How should possible effects be assessed?
   

The aim of the workshop is to discuss aspects that are important when assessing the effects of multiple Bt proteins and to identify practical approaches to assess these effects.

A programme is now available

Programme
10.30 Welcome by Prof Nico van Straalen (COGEM), chair workshop and introduction to the topic of the workshop, background and reason

10.45 Interaction between Bacillus thuringiensis toxins: A review of the available data by Dr. Nelly van der Hoeven (Ecostat)

11.15 Transfer of multiple Cry-proteins through the arthropod food web and assessment of combined effects   on susceptible herbivores – laboratory experiments, challenges, and first results
Dr. Michael Meissle (Agroscope)

13.45 Effects of insecticidal Cry proteins on nematodes – implications for the ecological risk assessment of a stacked Bt-maize variety (MON89034—MON88017) by Sebastian Höss (Ecossa)

14.15 Approaches and Considerations for Assessing Potential Interactions of Bt Proteins in Support of Environmental Safety Assessments for Genetically Modified Crops by Dr. Steve Levine (Monsanto.

15.15-15.45 Interaction between Bacillus thuringiensis toxins: a review and implications for risk/safety assessment by Dr. Adinda De Schrijver (WIV-ISP)

15.45-17.00 Discussion

The workshop will be held in Amsterdam (Crowne Plaza Amsterdam City Centre Hotel) on the 15th of October 2014.

Registration for the NTO workshop is now opened. Please register for the workshop by sending your contact details to workshop@cogem.net

Several hotels are located close to the meeting. Because many tourists visit Amsterdam, it is recommended to book a room well in advance.