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16 May 2000

Friends of the Earth is calling for an immediate ban on the outdoor testing of genetically modified oilseed rape and maize after shop-bought honey was found to contain GM pollen [1]. The honey was purchased in an area where GM crops had been grown last year.

The British beekeeping industry is taking steps to ensure that its honey is free from GM contamination, and has advised its members to move hives at least 6 miles from the nearest GM trial site. However, if GM crops get full commercial approval the location of the GM sites will not have to be made public and beekeepers won't be able to move their hives.

The honey purchased by FOE was sent to Austria for analysis. Two samples (one from a jar of honey and one honeycomb) were found to contain "genetically modified components" from the biotech company Aventis (formerly AgrEvo) which tests its GM crops in the UK and is taking part in the Government's farm-scale trials programme. Last year Friends of the Earth discovered GM oilseed rape pollen in beehives over 2 and a half miles from the nearest GM trial site.

The discovery of honey containing GM pollen confirms fears that GM crops threaten the livelihoods of neighbouring farmers and bee keepers. Despite this, GM farmers are under no obligation to consult neighbouring farmers and beekeepers about the trials, and the Bee Farmers Association of the UK (which represents 350 commercial bee farmers throughout the country) has not been consulted about the siting or potential impact of GM sites.

As well as the failure to consult, liability for any GM pollution of honey has not been resolved. Beekeepers are not compensated for the extra work and expense of moving their hives or for the loss of any contracts. The UK beekeeping industry produces an estimated 10 million worth of honey annually - but the value of pollination of fruit and other crops is 20 times more valuable. By forcing beekeepers to pull out of areas near GM test sites the biotech industry may also cause damage to fruit and vegetable farmers [2].

Pete Riley, Senior Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

"Friends of the Earth now has evidence that GM crops can contaminate honey. It is essential that the Government takes immediate action to protect this multi-million pound industry from the GM threat. Trials of GM oilseed rape and maize should be halted immediately.

"Honey is seen as a pure and natural product. The public has already made it clear that they do not want GM food - they won't be happy if the Government allows GMOs to threaten their honey. Friends of the Earth welcomes the swift action taken by the beekeeping industry in protecting our food from GMOs. Taking these steps should ensure that UK honey will be GM-free. However, if GM crops are given commercial approval, GM pollen will inevitably undermine the purity of British honey."

Local beekeeper Roger Holdy is moving his hives away from a GM oilseed rape farm-scale trial in Kempley, Gloucestershire to avoid GM pollen affecting his honey. He said: " A GM trial site has been given the go-ahead very close to my hives, yet I wasn't even consulted. Now I have to go to the expense and trouble of moving my hives to ensure that my honey will not contain GMOs. I'm prepared to do this to keep my honey pure but I am angry that the Government has let this situation happen."

1. Friends of the Earth purchased jars of honey and honeycombs from near a GM trial site in November 1999 and February 2000. Samples were selected with the aid of a pollen expert (to ensure that the samples contained pollen) and 2 batches of honey - (eight jars of honey and one honeycomb) - were sent to the Austrian Federal Laboratory in Vienna for DNA scanning. Two of these samples were found to be positive for GM herbicide resistant genes. A copy of the report is available on request to Dr Andreas Heissenberger.

2. In addition to producing honey, professional beekeepers also provide a vital pollination service for the fruit industry, both for top fruit (apples, pears, plums and cherry) and soft fruit (strawberries and raspberries). This is an important source of income for beekeepers who
transport their hives to particularly sites on request. The value of the service to fruit growers is put at 200 million per annum. Loss of bees from an area because of the presence of a GM test site could have serious consequences for local fruit growers.

The Bee Farmers Association of the UK has produced a statement on the GM trials. They can be contacted via: Fiona Campbell or Brain Stenhouse Secretary of the BFA.

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