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Abstract
Since the end of the quasi-moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the
European Union in 2004, the establishment of GMO-free zones has become an EU wide
phenomenon. In contrast to other European countries, Germany follows the concept of
cooperative GMO-free zones where neighbouring farmers contractually refrain from GMO
cultivation. In this article, we address the question which underlying factors could account for
the establishment of cooperative GMO-free zones in Germany. Drawing on the existing
literature on spatial agglomeration of different farming systems and the establishment of
GMO-free zones, we provide the first systematic study on driving factors for the regional
formation of GMO-free zones in Germany. The empirical analysis is based on a unique data
set at the federal states level for the years 2004 to 2007. We show that infestation rates with
the European Corn Borer, imminent Bt maize cultivation in the near vicinity and the number
of arriving tourists mainly account for the establishment of cooperative GMO-free zones. This
finding is consistent with the view that it is more the overall rejection of agro-biotechnology
by broad strata of the population, including stakeholders in tourism and environmental
protection, than economic benefits at the farm level which make German regions establish
GMO-free zones.