Archived press release

Government GM deal: business as usual

5 November 1999

Friends of the Earth is “bitterly disappointed” with Michael Meacher's announcement today extending the voluntary agreement on GM crops with the biotechnology industry body SCIMAC. Despite Government spin the 'deal' falls far short of the measures needed to protect the environment from GM pollution or inspire public confidence in the Government's handling of this issue. For example, winter oilseed rape is still being grown at over 20 locations throughout the UK - including 3 farm scale trials - without any legal consent [1].

Despite the 'deal':
. the discredited farm scale trials will continue - and on a massively increased scale -with inadequate protection from the risks that they pose to neighbouring farmers and the environment;
. the biotech companies will still be given commercial licences. This will mean that companies will have full legal permission to proceed with commercialisation of GM crops whatever the outcome of the trials or the concerns of the public.

Liana Stupples, Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth, said:
Last month FOE drew up “five tests” for the Government to meet to help satisfy public concern on this issue.
1. Call a minimum 5 year moratorium to enable the need for GM food and crops to be publicly debated, key research on food safety to be carried out and to develop a regulatory system which genuinely involves the general public.
2. Abandon the farm-scale trials because of the risk of cross pollination with neighbouring crops and wild relatives of the crop
3. Suspend any proposal to put GM seeds on to the National Seed List - for example the seed listing of AgrEvo's GM maize intended for February
4. Abstain or vote against any applications to market GM foods at an EU level.
5. introduce a new law which places strict liability for any harm caused by GM crops or food on biotechnology companies.

Note 1: On 17 September 1999 the Government and AgrEvo conceded FOE's legal challenge to the planting of GM winter oilseed rape, but have refused to dig them up.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust