Archived press release

Government in chaos over GM seeds

9 November 2000

Government GM policy was in chaos today when Ministers requested that a public hearing into GM crops be postponed indefinitely. The hearing was called to hear objections to a Government proposal to allow a type of GM maize to be sold to farmers. FOE tonight called on Aventis, the seed company that owns the GM seed, to withdraw its application.

The postponement call follows revelations that official basic tests on Chardon LL, a type of GM maize, had only been conducted for 1 year by the French authorities rather than the 2 required under EU law. The UK Government is now waiting for guidance from the EU Commission, as the defects in the French testing regime have serious EU-wide implications.

The revelation that test data hasn't met legal requirements only came to light after Friends of the Earth and members of the public forced the Government to hold a public hearing [1]into the proposed listing of Chardon LL. During the hearing, expert scientific witnesses have produced evidence that casts severe doubt over the validity of allowing the seed to be listed.They include concerns over the failure to test the GM maize on cows, and “suspicious”higher death rates among chickens eating the GM maize during trials.

The 5th week of the scheduled 9 week-hearing was due to start in Manchester on Monday 13th November. It will now start on Wednesday 15th November, when the parties can make representations on what should happen next.

Peter Roderick , legal advisor at Friends of the Earth said:
“Once again the Government's GM policy is in chaos. This is a desperate effort to buy time to sort out this mess with the Commission and the biotech industry.
But even if this latest cock-up hadn't occurred we think the weight of scientific evidence against listing is overwhelming. Aventis should fall on its sword,concede defeat and withdraw its application .”

[1] In April, the Government announced its intention to allow Chardon LL, which has been genetically modified to be resistant to Aventis' own herbicide, on to the national seed list. This is the final legal barrier before a seed can be sold to farmers. However, FOE discovered a little-known law which gave the public the right to appeal against the decision. Sixty seven groups and individuals paid £60 to have their objections heard in public, with hundreds more filing written objections (which cost £30).Aventis refused to produce any evidence at the hearing.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust