The NRP 59

Background and aims of NRP 59 The NRP 59 examines the benefits and risks of genetically modified (GM) plants under the ecological, social, economic, legal and political conditions of Switzerland. In conjunction with the five-year moratorium on commercial use of GM plants, which was accepted by the Swiss voters in the year 2005, NRP 59 gains a special a political significance, although it is not a direct consequence of this referendum but was developed in parallel. But despite these high expectations, it is unlikely that NRP 59 will be able to definitively answer whether GM plants should be authorized for crops in Switzerland or banned. Its role will be rather to provide the scientific basis for a more rational discussion that will contribute to the political decision-making process. ^up

Research priorities The programme has four main areas of interest: I. Plant biotechnology and the environment This area will involve 18 projects with total funding of 6.4 million Swiss francs. The projects will be taking a closer look at questions such as disease resistance of crop plants, soil ecology, biodiversity, gene flow from GM to wild plants, effects on non-target organisms, coexistence and novel uses of plant biotechnology. Nine of these projects have formed a consortium to study the resistance of transgenic wheat to mildew and the associated risks in two field trials. II. Political, social and economic aspects Eight projects with total funding of 2.2 million Swiss francs will be considering issues such as coexistence, as well as the behaviour of consumers and other stakeholders. Other projects will consider the role of the media and that of education in the development of opinions. One will focus specifically on concept of an ethically acceptable GM plant. III. Risk assessment, risk management and decision processes Two projects with total funding worth approximately Swiss francs 600 000 will take a closer look at risk indicators, with one focusing more specifically on decision processes. IV. Synthesis and overview studies Studies will be carried out in this area paying particular attention to how the research results of NRP 59 are judged from both within and outside. The funding will be allocated during the course of the programme. ^up

Research institutions involved The research will be carried out by scientists from different Swiss universities, Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, the federal agricultural research centres at Reckenholz-Tänikon and Changins- Wädenswil, the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and private firms. ^up

Transdisciplinary approach A particular feature of a Swiss National Research Programme is its transdisciplinary approach. The research carried out has to have an impact beyond scientific and academic circles. This means, interested parties are directly involved and can benefit from the researchers’ results. A number of NRP 59 projects involve farmers, consumers, the neighbouring population and schoolchildren. ^up

Budget and programme duration Funding of 12 million Swiss francs has been granted for the five-year duration of NRP 59. First results are expected in 2011. An interim report must be delivered to the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA) by the end of 2009. ^up

Project selection procedure NRP 59 is designed as a balanced programme looking both at the benefits and risks of GM plants. It aims to conduct new and original research. None of the projects will duplicate research carried out abroad. They will also take into account Switzerland’s specific societal and political circumstances. Ninety-two pre-proposals requesting an overall amount of 36 million Swiss francs were submitted by the deadline on 31 August, 2006. They were all relevant to the programmes’ four main areas of interest: 38 per cent involved “Plant biotechnology and the environment”, 27 per scent “Political, social and economic aspects” and “Risk assessment, risk management and decision making processes”; and 8 per cent of grant requests referred to “Synthesis and overview studies”. Many of the pre-proposals also involved more than one of the four research areas. Forty-seven pre-proposals came from universities, 18 from Zurich’s Federal Institute of Technology, 11 from the Reckenholz-Tänikon and Changins-Wädenswil agricultural research centres Agroscope ART, 5 from the Research Institute of Organic Agri-culture (FiBL), one from the Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), as well as ten from other private and public institutions (see the graphic “Pre-proposals submitted by institution”). These pre-proposals were examined by the Steering Committee based on criteria set out in the working plan and with the support of an international panel. This panel was made up of 12 natural and 12 social sciences experts. Following the evaluation process, the Steering Committee asked the authors of 39 proposals to submit more detailed projects. Thirty-six full proposals were filed by 24 January, 2007, worth a total of Swiss francs 11.8 million in funding. Around 58 per cent concerned research area I, 31 per cent area II and 11 per cent area III. Eighteen of the proposals came from universities, nine from Zurich’s Federal Institute of Technology, three from Agroscope ART, three from the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), and three from other private research institutions (see the graphics “Full proposals by institution” and “Full proposals by module”). Each of these full proposals was examined by internationally recognized experts and the Steering Committee. The authors were invited to attend a colloquium to present their projects to the Steering Committee and a small group of foreign social science experts. Based on this selection process, the Steering Committee recommended 29 projects to be approved by the National Research Council. The council agreed and authorized the projects. Work began in June 2007. ^up

Pre-proposals submitted by institution

Full proposals by institution

Full proposals by modules

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