Bernhard A. Koch Books

Economic losses caused by the admixture of genetically modified crops with conventional or organic crops are governed by a variety of regimes throughout Europe at present, and redress is not equally available. Tort law rules alone differ quite significantly, not least because some countries have introduced specific liability regimes. Others have already (or are considering to) set up compensation funds. This book presents how European jurisdictions respond to such losses, and what alternatives there are in a comparative perspective. Apart from tort law, insurance models and other compensation schemes are considered, with a special focus on cross-border aspects. Experts from almost all European countries address the topic from the perspective of their respective jurisdictions. Further contributions include an economic analysis of possible solutions as well as a survey of insurance problems. The book is concluded by a comprehensive comparative overview and an assessment of legal policy issues.

The debate about the use of genetically modified organisms in European agriculture is fuelled by the fear of the general public about potential risks of GM farming, whether substantiated or not. Transgenic food is suspected to cause bodily harm, have a negative impact upon the health of animals, weaken the productivity of conventional farmland, reduce biodiversity or otherwise deteriorate the environment, to name but a few dangers popping up in the public debate. Apart from setting standards for GM farming and requiring safety checks for transgenic products, all jurisdictions also provide for the case that such risks should materialize. These are not necessarily novel approaches - classic tort law already offers remedies for such losses. Sometimes these traditional solutions are enhanced or replaced by alternative redress schemes. This volume compares twenty European and four non-European jurisdictions in this respect and provides special analyses from an economic and insurance perspective as well as surveys of cross-border dispute resolution and international law.