Details published of GM test sites in the UK1 June 1999
New research from Friends of the Earth has identified the location of every GM test site in the United Kingdom.
There are 140 sites, with a further eight awaiting consent to begin. The Government has also approved seven farm-scale plantings, which are much larger than other test sites. The number of sites has halved since last year. This follows an increase in local opposition to test sites, and a series of surveys showing that farmers don't want to plant GM crops.
The top four companies involved in testing are AgrEvo, with 28 sites; Plant Genetic Systems (owned by AgrEvo) with 16; Monsanto with 25 (and 5 awaiting consent); and Novartis with 17. The top crops being tested are oilseed rape (80 sites) and sugar or fodder beet (54 sites). Other crops include maize, wheat and potatoes. 129 of the 140 crops being tested are herbicide resistant.
Full details of the test sites are available on this website.
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