Forecasting the Feasibility of Implementing Isolation Perimeters Between GM and non-GM Maize Fields Under Agricultural Conditions

Abstract

Although spatially isolating genetically modified (GM) maize fields from non‐GM maize fields is a robust on‐farm strategy to keep the adventitious presence of GM material in the harvests of neighboring non‐GM maize fields due to cross‐fertilizations below established labeling thresholds (and thus to ensure the spatial co‐existence between maize cropping systems), the practical implementation of isolation perimeters attracted little research efforts. In this study, the feasibility of implementing isolation perimeters around GM maize fields is investigated. Using Geographic Information System datasets and Monte Carlo simulations, various scenarios differing in shares and spatial distributions of GM maize were tested for various isolation perimeters in six agricultural areas in Flanders. Factors that affect the feasibility of implementing isolation perimeters are discussed.