13 January 2004
Government advisers have given their view on GM crop trials to Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett.
The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE)looked at results of farm-scale evaluations of three crops genetically modified to be herbicide-tolerant (GMHT). The results were published in October.
ACRE advised the government that:
- If beet and spring-sown oilseed rape were grown in a similar way to those in the trials there would be adverse environmental effects; and
- The results of the maize trials did not show evidence of adverse environmental effects, providing the crops were grown in a similar way to those tested.
Ministers have also received advice on the results of the farm-scale evaluations from English Nature, on behalf of the statutory conservation bodies. English Nature have advised that, on the basis of the results, GMHT spring oilseed rape and beet should not be commercialised, but that GMHT maize may be commercialised subject to certain conditions.
Ministers and the Devolved Administrations will now consider the advice from ACRE and English Nature before reaching decisions. They will be considering whether the UK should press for existing EU marketing consents for GMHT maize to be revoked or amended, and whether the UK should support or oppose the granting of EU marketing consents for GMHT spring oilseed rape and beet.
Mrs Beckett said:
"We will now consider ACRE’s advice, as well as the advice from English Nature, very carefully before reaching a view on whether these crops should be approved for cultivation in the EU.
"I have said consistently that the government is neither pro- nor anti-GM crops - our over-riding concern is to protect human health and the environment, and to ensure genuine consumer choice."
There are currently no GM crops being grown in the UK and none have all the approvals required for commercial cultivation.
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