NERI has, since the beginning of the 1990's, carried out research and advisory tasks concerning environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants (GMP).

NERI forms an advisory body for the competent authorities both on a national and international level.

NERI performs the environmental risk assessment of GMP. The main tasks comprise commentatory and advisory activities concerning the ecological risks involved in field trials and field releases of GMP in Denmark and the EU. The tasks involve assessment of environmental risks of new GMP products, which are notified for placement on the market. Furthermore, assessments of the risks from contained greenhouse and laboratory trials with genetically modified plants and animals are conducted. Supplementary tasks concern: contributions to development and assessment of guidelines for field trials and monitoring programs, participation in national and international expert fora on risk assessment, and responses to questions from the general public on GM plants and risk assessment.

The research focuses on concepts for risk assessment, invasibility of GMP to natural habitats, and indirect food chain effects of herbicide and insect resistant plants.

A number of scientific papers, reports and books on risk assessment and ecological consequences of GMP have been published by scientists from NERI.