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UK'S BIGGEST FARMER PULLS PLUG ON GM TRIALS. FOE Demands Halt to "Unscientific" Tests
30 March 1999
The Government is shortly expected to announce details of the four farm-scale trials, due to begin in the next few weeks. They had hoped to conduct two of the trials on land farmed by CWS. Even before the CWS decision the farm-scale trials were in trouble. A Government document leaked to FOE admits that the first year's trials would not be“scientifically sound” as there were only to be 4 trials (2 trials per crop) rather than the 15-25 trials needed to produce statistically robust results. Friends of the Earth opposes the farm-scale trials currently proposed by Government and industry because they are unscientific and should only take place as part of a wider moratorium.
Commenting, FOE Senior Food Campaigner, Pete Riley, said:
“The Co-op should be congratulated on their responsible and courageous decision.The Government's proposed GM-trials are rushed, secretive and unscientific. If CWS, with its reputation for responsible and progressive farming won't take part,then surely the Government should admit defeat and cancel the trials for this year? Commercial pressures have forced the pace, undermining good science and overriding public concerns. Only a guaranteed 5-Year Freeze on commercial planting can rebuild public confidence that the genuine scientific concerns about GM crops are being addressed.”
Notes
[1] The farm-scale trials, announced by Michael Meacher MP and Jeff Rooker MP on 21st October 1998, were intended to investigate the effects on wildlife of growing GM herbicide-resistant oilseed rape and maize.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
