Data acquisition by farm questionnaires and linkage to other sources of data

Abstract.

Monitoring is a statutory requirement for the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the EC. Questionnaires for farmers to report observations of effects potentially linked with the cultivation of GM crops can form a useful part of a monitoring regime. A questionnaire on GM maize (traits: herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance) was designed with questions focusing on potential effects related to the GM maize grown, as well as on background information on the cultivation methods and on individual situations. The methodological approach, the structuring of the data and the structure of the questionnaire are presented. The statistical requirements and background for an appropriate evaluation and interpretation of the data as well as results of interviews made from 2001 to 2005 are presented in Schmidtke and Schmidt (2006) and Schmidt et al. (2006). It is envisaged that this approach will be developed for monitoring other cultivated GM plants and traits (Beißner et al., 2006) and may be applicable in certain non-farmed environments.