Archived press release

Biotech industry's GM code won't work

21 April 1999

Friends of the Earth today released details of the biotech industry's draft code of practice for the commercial growing of genetically modified (GM) crops. FOE calls the code, which is due to be discussed today by a key Cabinet Committee, “feeble, unworkable and unenforceable”. Ministers have said that the Government must approve the industry's plans before commercial GM crop growing can begin.

The code of practice was produced by the biotech industry body, the Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC). It is dated March 1999 [1]. FOE has criticised the code,which is purely voluntary, because
* environmental monitoring of GM crops will be left to the industry
* farmers do not have to take any steps to protect farm biodiversity
* evidence that GM crops are likely to cross-breed with wild relatives is ignored
* safety barriers to prevent contamination of non-GM crops are inadequate
* organic farmers crops will not be legally protected from GM contamination.

Friends of the Earth is opposed in principle to a voluntary code of practice for GM crop growing. FOE has criticised Agriculture Minister Jeff Rooker for saying (on Radio 4's Today Programme)that a voluntary code is needed because there is no Parliamentary time to give it legal force. FOE has written to every member of the Cabinet Committee on Biotechnology (Misc 6), which meets today, to urge them to reject the SCIMAC code [2]. FOE has demanded a five year freeze on the commercial growing of GM crops, to allow time to assess environmental effects, including crop safety.

Friends of the Earth food campaigner Adrian Bebb commented:
“These industry proposals are feeble, unworkable and unenforceable. If the Government endorses this code then the lawyers will have a field day sorting out the disputes that will inevitably arise between farmers. The Government should call a five year freeze so that the safety of these mutant crops can be re-assessed and debated.Farmers should steer clear of GM crops until these issues have been resolved”.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. A copy of the draft code is available from FOE. SCIMAC consists of representatives from the biotech companies, seed breeders and NFU. To date the SCIMAC code of practice has not been available to farmers or the general public for comment.

2. Misc 6 is chaired by “Cabinet Enforcer” Jack Cunningham. A copy of the FOE letter is available on request.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust