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No place to hide for GM crops
17 June 1999
Today the Government will publish a report produced by the John Innes Centre showing evidence of “transgenic pollution” from GM crops to neighbouring fields.
Campaigners say that a six mile buffer zone may be needed to prevent bees carrying pollen to organic and other non-GM crops.
Recently the Government endorsed a voluntary set of industry guidelines (SCIMAC) which set separation distances between GM and non-GM and organic crops. The separation distances are as little as 200m for organic oilseed rape and forage maize. For conventional crops the distance falls to 50m for oilseed.
The FOE map shows that there are approximately 92 organic farms within 6 miles of the current 140 GM-crop test sites.
Commenting, Adrian Bebb Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
“Our research shows that organic and GM-crops cannot mix. The Government must go back to the drawing board and re-assess their policy on GM farming.It is time for a halt to all outdoor GM crop testing tp protect all farmers, organic or not, who want to remain free of genetic pollution ”.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
