Spain considers trial release of genetically-modified olive flies

Genetically-modified olive flies will be released in a Catalan olive grove if a field trial proposed by British biotech company Oxitec is approved in Spain.

According to German expert group Testbiotech, which opposes the trial, it would be the first release of GM animals in the European Union.

The olive fly – Bactrocera (Dacus) oleae – is one of the key pests affecting olive cultivation and is managed mainly via pesticides.

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Oxitec believes its modified olive fly strain – called OX3097D-Bol and developed about three years ago – offers a more effective, chemical-free solution.

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