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MEACHER IGNORES PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE ON BIOTECH CROP But Genetic Advisor calls for commercial growing to be halted
3 August 1998
Friends of the Earth wrote to Mr Meacher last week calling on him to reject the advice of the Government's advisors, ACRE - which said that an immediate ban was not justified -adopt the precautionary principle and prevent the commercial development of the crops until it can be proven that they are safe. Last month FOE revealed that eight of ACRE's thirteen members were involved with the biotech industry. Today's statement says that Mr Meacher “has accepted the Government's advisory body's advice that further research is necessary before a ban could be justified”.
ACRE (the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment) was asked by Environment Minister, Michael Meacher to examine new scientific research from Switzerland [1] which shows that lacewings, important predatory insects for controlling plant pests, were affected by eating prey that had been feeding on maize genetically engineered to contain an insect toxin. This research suggests that the Bt toxin [2] in the plants increases the mortality of lacewings and calls for more research in the field.
In a letter to FOE, Julie Hill [4], a member of ACRE, says “It is impossible to say that there isn't a threat to the UK environment...my own view is that Bt crops should not be grown commercially in this country until we have more information”.
Pete Riley, FOE Food and Biotech Campaigner, said,
“Mr Meacher should have adopted the precautionary principle and banned this genetically engineered maize until it can be proven to be safe. Serious scientific concerns have been raised: the biotech industry should not be allowed to play Russian roulette with the countryside. A 5 year moratorium on genetically engineered crops should be imposed until the risks are properly understood.”Notes to Editors
1. The research was carried out in the labs of the Swiss Federal Research Station for Agroecology and Agriculture in Zurich and published in Environmental Entomology in 1998.
2. Lacewings fed Bt caterpillars died in higher numbers (62% mortality) than those given Bt-free caterpillars. The Bt toxin comes from a soil bacterium and has been used a pesticide spray for several decades by organic farmers by it decays rapidly. The genes responsible for the toxin have been engineered into several crop plants including the Novartis maize so that caterpillar feeding on leaves receive a dose. The Swiss research suggests that the presence of the Bt toxin in live caterpillar prey which have fed on the maize could kill lacewing larvae. The researchers advised more research.
3. ACRE's advice to Michael Meacher described the conclusions of the Swiss report as fair and reasonable but were happy for continuation of commercial Bt maize growing despite the concerns raised by the Swiss paper.
4. Julie Hill's letter is available on request.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
