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Government slaps Assembly and farmers in the face with Welsh GM trials

Friends of the Earth Cymru has condemned Government plans, announced today, to grow genetically modified (GM) crops in Wales. The group says that the move flies in the face of National Assembly policy and the interests of farmers.

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) announced plans to test GM maize at three sites in Wales: one near Sealand Flintshire and two near Mathry in Pembrokeshire [1].

Julian Rosser, Head of Campaigns for FOE Cymru commented:

"This is a slap in the face for the Assembly, for farmers and for the people of Wales.

"The National Assembly has made it very clear that it does not want GM crops grown in Wales unless it can be proved that they are safe for human health and the environment. That hasn't been proven for these crops or any GM crop.

"The trials could also be bad news for neighbouring farmers. Consumers and retailers are demanding GM-Free food; if these crops cross pollinate with commercial maize crops in the surrounding area then there is a risk that they will be rejected from sale. This would certainly be the case for produce being grown organically."

Maize pollen ordinarily travels up to 800 metres. Under suitable conditions, small quantities of pollen are likely to travel much further [2].

Julian Rosser continued:

"It is ridiculous, in the middle of the foot and mouth crisis, for the Government to be sending scientists traipsing around the countryside conducting unnecessary experiments for the benefit of a multinational company.

"The National Assembly should intervene immediately to do all it can to get these tests stopped. We will be working to persuade the farmers involved to pull out of these trials before the crops go in the ground."

Notes

[1] See DTLR News Release 2001/0209: 03 April 2001 at DTLR web site.

[2] Report from National Pollen Research unit, January 2000.