Tweet

Archived press release


Go to our press releases area for our current press releases.

Government advisers split on frankenstein crop approval

20 January 1999

The Government's scientific advisers on genetically modified (GM) crops - ACRE (Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment) - are split over the advice they're shortly to give to Environment Minister Michael Meacher on the safety of GM crops.

ACRE, which has recently reviewed evidence (compiled by Professor Alan Gray of the Institute of Terrestial Ecology) on the risks of growing GM oilseed rape in the UK, will tell Mr Meacher that there are no grounds for imposing a ban on the crop in this country. Julie Hill, ACRE's sole NGO member, says that the review highlighted concerns which - under the 'precautionary principle' - must not be ignored. Friends of the Earth has been critical of ACRE in the past, highlighting the fact that the majority of its members have links with the biotech industry.

Friends of the Earth has today written to Michael Meacher urging him to reject ACRE's advice and adopt the precautionary principle. The letter also:

  • reminds the Minister that he promised to apply the precautionary principle when licensing GM crops;
  • points out that the French Government has imposed a two year ban on oilseed rape following environmental concerns;
  • calls on Mr Meacher to dismiss the ACRE Committee and appoint a panel that reflects environmental and wildlife concerns about GM crops, rather than one containing so many members with links to the biotech industry;
  • calls for a comprehensive review of all existing GM consents, taking proper account of all their potential environmental impacts;

Pete Riley, Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
“Mr Meacher must keep his promise and adopt the precautionary principle over the commercial development of GM crops. These Frankenstein crops pose a risk to the environment which must not be dismissed by groups of unrepresentative scientists meeting in secret. “



Julie Hill, environmentalist and a member of ACRE, said:
“I dissented from the original decision to give the go-ahead to this product because of uncertainties about how far the genes would spread into wild species, and what would be the long term consequences of that spread. In my view, the evidence compiled by Professor Gray increases, rather than decreases, these uncertainties. The precautionary principle suggests that we should do more to understand the long-term impacts before proceeding, and so I again dissented from the view of the majority of the committee. I hope that Mr Meacher will be true to his previous statements and apply the precautionary principle which the Government has adopted as an integral part of environmental policy.”


If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Tweet

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

 

 

Last modified: Jul 2008