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UK FARMERS TO GROW GM MAIZE?

Sep 8 2004

Friends of the Earth has condemned today's decision by the European Commission to allow farmers across Europe to commercially grow 17 different varieties of a GM maize. The environmental campaign group is calling on the UK Government to take steps to prevent farmers growing the crops in Britain [1].

At today's meeting the outgoing European Commission decided to add the GM maize varieties to Europe's Common Catalogue of seeds [2]. These are the first GM seeds to be added to the catalogue, making them commercially available to farmers across Europe. Although the GM maize varieties are unlikely to be attractive to UK farmers, because the crops are modified to be resistant to insects that are not a particular problem in Britain, there is nothing to stop farmers in Britain growing them. This is why the Government must take steps to ensure it cannot be grown here.

Friends of the Earth is opposed to the GM maize being commercially grown because

• of the threat posed to our food, farming and environment. Last week a new survey by Which magazine showed that public opposition to GM food and crops has grown with 61 per cent concerned about the use of GM in food production.

• The UK does not have any rules on `coexistence' (between GM and conventional crops) or liability. The Government has only just started its consultation process and will not have rules in place in time for the 2005 growing season.

• Even if the crop is not grown in the UK, we import from Europe much of the maize destined for our food - this will now be at greater risk from GM contamination.

Friends of the Earth's GM-free Britain campaigner Clare Oxborrow said

"This European decision is a recipe for disaster. The majority British consumers do not want GM food or crops, especially as there are no rules in place to prevent GM contamination. The UK Government must act now to protect our food, farming and environment and prevent this GM maize from being grown here."

The European Commission also postponed from its agenda a decision on proposals to legalise the widespread GM contamination of conventional seeds.

Notes

1. According to a leaked Communication from Commissioner David Byrne "any Member State may object to the marketing on their territory of any such GM variety if they consider there is a risk for human health, the environment or agronomic reasons." (Whole communication available from Friends of the Earth)

2. Monsanto's MON810 maize, which is modified to produce a toxin to resist a type of insect, already has an EU wide license through GM legislation. However, up to now it has not been made available to farmers through the EU common catalogue. Six of the varieties are already on the national seed lists in France (but not grown commercially as far as we are aware) and 11 are listed on the Spanish seed list.

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