Greenpeace today attacked the government for announcing new GM trial sites (1) despite the fact a review into how imported Canadian seed was contaminated with GM has yet to be completed.
Greenpeace wrote to Environment Minister Michael Meacher outlining their concerns last week. In the letter Greenpeace called on the Government to remove the flower heads from all GM crops currently growing to prevent contamination of surrounding farms and to halt new GM trials.
Last year, UK farmers bought seed from Canada that was found to be GM-contaminated. The error lead to 13,700 hectares of UK farmland being sown with contaminated rapeseed. Canadian Authorities are still investigating if this contamination was caused by GM crops cross-pollinating with conventional crops planted over 800 metres away.
This incident prompted the UK Government to launch a full review of separation distances between GM and conventional crops. The Review was initiated as a three-pronged enquiry encompassing a scientific review, a public consultation and an investigation into what caused the Canadian incident.
Greenpeace campaigner Sarah North said, "The Canadian incident prompted the UK's review of separation distances. The Government still hasn't a clue about what caused the Canadian contamination. Yet they're pressing on regardless with growing GM crops in full knowledge that this may be risking contamination of neighbouring farms. This is irrational and irresponsible".
Last Autumn, as winter GM crop trials were planted, Government Environment Minister Beverley Hughes reassured rural communities that these crops may have their flower heads removed in March 2001 as a precaution to avoid cross-pollination. This decision was to be made on the basis of the Government's review of separation distances (1).
North continued, "To allow these current crops to flower in the absence of results of the review is monumentally reckless".
Editor's notes:
1) Fifty eight new trial sites have been announced in England and Scotland - 26 beet 32 spring oil seed rape.
2) Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions News Release 559: "Hughes Announces Consent for Autumn Farm Scale Trials", 23 August 2000.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace UK press office on 020 7865 8255
