Co-Extra was an EU-funded research programme on
''co-ex''istence and
''tra''ceability of
genetically modified crops
Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering methods. Plant genomes can be engineered by physical methods or by use of ''Agrobacterium'' for the delivery of ...
and their edible derivatives that ran from 2005-2009. It was granted €13.5 million under the
Sixth Framework Programme
The Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development, also called Framework Programmes or abbreviated FP1 to FP9, are funding programmes created by the European Union/European Commission to support and foster research in the Europe ...
of the European Union, and is conducted by more than 200 scientists in 52 organisations in 18 countries.
Project description
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Research goals
The research programme studied and validated biological containment
One use of the concept of biocontainment is related to laboratory biosafety and pertains to microbiology laboratories in which the physical containment of pathogenic organisms or agents (bacteria, viruses, and toxins) is required, usually by is ...
methods, forged supply chain organisations, and provided practical tools and methods for implementing co-existence between GMO-based (i.e., based on the use of genetically modified organisms) and non-GMO-based supply chains.
With regard to supporting cost-effective documentary traceability, Co-Extra was aimed at devising reliable, analytical detection methods, and at establishing the most appropriate methods of collecting, organising and distributing information. A core programme objective was the provision, to all stakeholders of food and feed chains, of a central decision-support system incorporating all necessary institutional tools, methods, models and guidelines.
Work packages
The programme was structured in eight work packages (WP):
* WP 1: Biology approaches for gene flow mitigation
* WP 2: Supply chain analysis, description and modelling
* WP 3: Economic costs and benefits of co-existence and traceability
* WP 4: Development testing and sampling approaches
* WP 5: Development and integration of analytical traceability tools
* WP 6: Technical challenges of GMO detection
* WP 7: Integration with respect to legal, scientific, social and ethical issues
* WP 8: Dialogue and communication
Dissemination of research results
The editorial team of WP 8 presented all findings on the programme's website (no longer in existence as of 2014), which had been written and designed for an audience of stakeholders and interested lay persons. The website also supplied background information on the public debate on co-existence and traceability in many EU countries, as well as on the current status of implementation of co-existence and traceability legislation and measures.
References
{{Reflist
External links
European Union's Sixth Framework Programme
.
Research projects