Government claims over 'sterile' crops proved false
Greenpeace today called on the Government to immediately recall and destroy genetically modified oil seed rape seeds mistakenly planted across Britain.
The call came as evidence emerged that the GM seeds are not 'male sterile' as claimed by Government.
Charlie Kronick, Greenpeace GM Campaign Coordinator said, "All the farms which have planted contaminated crops must urgently be traced, the crop pulled up and farmers fully compensated for any losses, by the seed company Advanta who were responsible for this contamination.
Documents from the Canadian Government 1 tracked down by Greenpeace indicate that the Monsanto seed involved is only genetically modified to have glyphosate (herbicide) tolerance and not male sterility. This means there is nothing to stop the crops cross pollinating and contaminating oil seed rape crops across Britain.
Greenpeace is also calling on the Government to implement an immediate ban on imports of rape seed until suppliers can guarantee GM free.
They are also calling for legal moves to be taken against the seed company Advanta for illegally selling the seeds in breach of European and UK law. Advanta should be held liable for the costs of tracing and destroying the contaminated crops.
"This fiasco will affect farmers, animal feed mills and honey producers who are faced with a contaminated product that is both illegal and potentially unsafe. Government must take immediate action to protect their interests", said Mr Kronick.
Greenpeace is taking legal advice on whether the GM oil seed rape planting was illegal. The Government have stated in the media that the seeds have 'Part B' consent. This means that it has only been approved for experimental field trials. This release is clearly not part of any controlled experiment and as such appears to contravene European law (the 90/220 directive).
Furthermore this variety of oilseed rape has not been approved for use in animal feed, which is a major outlet for oil seed rape in this country (in the form of OSR meal). This means that animal feed stocks across the UK could have been contaminated.
Greenpeace also strongly criticised the role of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the fiasco. The FSA had an opportunity to act, to be open and transparent and to liase with consumer and environmental groups, yet did none of these. Instead they spent their time consulting with industry.
The Food Standards Agency should be taking immediate action to implement a range of measures such as:
- A immediate ban on rape seed imports,
- Removal of contaminated crops.
- Monitoring and testing existing stocks.
- Testing in oil mills,
- Recall or testing of existing rapemeal feed.
- Support for farmers to seek compensation.
- Meaningful information provided to consumers.
Charlie Kronick added, "The Food Standards Agency have failed in their role as consumer watchdogs. They should have responded strongly and taken the opportunity to ensure no GM contamination was allowed to occur. Instead they are effectively allowing the commercial introduction of GM to go head. This makes a mockery of the GM farm scale trials".
"This is exactly the sort of accident that will keep happening with such an unpredictable and uncontrollable technology as GM. It is clearly time to ban it".
Notes for editors:
1 - Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Plant Biotechnology Office Decision Document DD95/02 on 'determination of safety of Monsanto Canada Inc's roundup herbicide tolerant brassica napus canola line GT73'.
