GM contamination - Government experts disagree (2/1/2003) | |
2 January 2003 GM CONTAMINATION - GOVERNMENT EXPERTS DISAGREE FROM FRIENDS OF THE EARTH Immediate release: Thursday 2nd January GM CONTAMINATION - GOVERNMENT EXPERTS DISAGREE The report [1] on GM cross pollination of oilseed rape crops and wild plants was published in full this week after a summary was posted on DEFRA's website on Christmas Eve. Its findings put the early commercialisation of GM oilseed rape in question, revealing significant contamination. But the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE)'s advice, also published on Christmas Eve, played down the significance of the findings, saying contamination was expected. The report concludes: It also highlights the difficulties in gathering information on the likely extent of contamination if GM oilseed rape is grown commercially in this country and calls for further research: "Gene flow at this level should be investigated on a landscape scale using larger numbers of transgenic pollen sources, and examining different genotypes (both of the transgenic plants and conventional varieties), the extent of pollen flow at further distances from sources, a range of environmental conditions, geographical location and patterns of cropping of GM and non-GM crops. It is only when these studies have been concluded under a range of UK conditions that farmers and seed producers will be able to accurately predict out crossing levels and develop appropriate strategies for managing it" [3]. In contrast, ACRE' s advice concludes: ACRE members were content that the results of the monitoring were consistent with the existing risk assessment and no further action was necessary"[4]. The consultants report also reveals the extent to which seed contamination has occurred: Current EU proposals for oilseed rape seed purity would set a maximum contamination rate of 0.3%. Other key information emerging from the final report includes: . GM oilseed rape volunteers (weeds in following crops) survived for at least four years (up until the research was terminated in 2000). The report recommends more research into the hybridisation of oilseed rape with wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) and wild turnip (Brassica rapus). The full report does not provide metrological data for any of the study sites making it impossible to judge whether the reported results could be considered the "worst case". Contamination of crop plants was only monitored and found up to 250 metres from the GM crops and no further. Current separation distances for GM oilseed rape are a maximum of 200 metres [6]. Commenting, Friends of the Earth GM campaigner Pete Riley of Friends said: "ACRE seems to have missed the main conclusions of the report. In fact they appear to be more interested in defending their earlier advice than listening to the science. Such complacency is completely unacceptable. The report shows there are still big holes in the science of cross pollination, and that more research is needed before GM crops can be given the go-ahead. "The Government must resist the pressure from the biotech industry to approve GM oilseed rape for commercial growing in the next 18 months and consider the full facts. Proving the safety of GM is going to be risky and costly. Surely the only sensible course is to abandon GM and instead help British farmers get off the agro-chemical treadmill by investing in sustainable farming." Ends Notes: Contact: |