GM

GM trial sites revealed

Last edited 31 January 2002 at 9:00am
Farm Scale Trials

Farm Scale Trials

Genetically modified (GM) crops are to be planted at 44 new locations around the UK this spring, the government has announced today.

GM oilseed rape is to be sown at 27 sites, and GM fodder and sugar beet is to be planted at a further 17 sites - in the latest phase of the controversial 'farm-scale trials'. A full list of sites, including six-figure grid references, is available to download here (file prepared as a pdf).

Article tagged as: farmscale trials, GM, oilseed rape, sugar beet

GM contamination of wild Mexican maize revealed

Last edited 29 November 2001 at 9:00am
GM crops

World scientists demand halt to US exports, as Nature publishes evidence

DNA from genetically modified corn has been found in wild maize on remote mountains in Mexico. Evidence documenting the extent of this genetic pollution has been published in the scientific journal Nature.

Article tagged as: contamination, corn, GM, GM food, maize, mexico, USA

Recipes against hunger

Last edited 20 November 2001 at 9:00am
Bangladesh: ploughing

Bangladesh: ploughing

Article tagged as: agriculture, GM, GM food, sustainable agriculture

GM trial summing up

Last edited 31 October 2001 at 9:00am
Publication date: 
21 March, 2007

The summing up from the GM trial - Greenpeace 28

Download the report:
Article tagged as: farmscale trials, GM, GM crops, trials

Lyng retrial court reports

Last edited 31 October 2001 at 9:00am
Greenpeace 28 on trial

Read all of the court reports from the Lyng retrial of the Greenpeace 28:






Article tagged as: farmscale trials, GM, trials

Greenpeace tells Danish bacon producer

Last edited 5 October 2001 at 8:00am
5 October, 2001

Danepak bacon

Article tagged as: animal feed, consumer, danepak, danish crown, GM, press releases, shoppers guide

Boot GM out of animal feed

Last edited 2 October 2001 at 8:00am
Danepak bacon

Danepak bacon

In response to pressure from consumers, all of the major supermarkets and many food producers have made commitments to go non-GM in animal feed. This is now being translated into action. Most of the big poultry producers are using non-GM soya in their animal feed and many supermarkets are now selling non-GM fed poultry and eggs. But we need to keep up the pressure to let supermarkets and producers know that consumers want all their meat and dairy products produced from non-GM feed.

Earlier this year, Danish Crown, the third largest pig producer in the world and the company behind the Danepak and Tulip bacon brands, announced that they were planning to start producing pork from a small number of pigs fed on a non-GM diet. But this switch to non-GM fed pigs will account for only 2% of Danish Crown's total pork production. It's a step in the right direction but its not nearly enough. There is no excuse, if the poultry industry can switch to non-GM feed then so can pig producers. Danish Crown need to be reminded that what consumers want is non-GM fed pork and bacon products.

Article tagged as: animal feed, consumer, danepak, danish crown, GM

"Field trials are no basis for [GM] commercialisation"

Last edited 11 September 2001 at 8:00am
11 September, 2001
Following the publication today, Monday 10 September of a review by the Government's advisory body for the farm scale trials of GM crops, Greenpeace today renewed its call for the programme to be cancelled. The report identifies gaps in scientific research as well as political, ethical and commercial issues which need to be resolved before the commercial growing of GM crops in Britain should begin.


The report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission entitled 'Crops on trial' makes ten recommendations including: a wider debate on GM crops regarding the ethics of genetic modification; preserving the ability of organic growers to retain their organic status; preserving consumer choice for food free from GM contamination including organic foods; identifying adequate separation distances between GM crops and non GM crops.

Dr Doug Parr, Chief Scientific Advisor Greenpeace, said '"We've always felt that these trials were a fig leaf to cover the Government's embarrassment at having failed to be in tune with legitimate public concerns. The AEBC report points out that there are unanswered questions about ethics, risk and uncertainties, agricultural policy, the effects on organic farming, consumers right to choose and the social and economic impacts associated with potential commercialisation of CM crops. If the Government wants to show that it isn't in the pocket of the biotech giants it needs to hold this wide debate and stop the farm-scale trials programme "

Editors notes:
(1) Paragraph 25 of the report says 'Whilst the FSE (Farm Scale Evaluations) are expected to produce useful data which can contribute to the decision about weather or not the crops involved should be commercialised, we are clear that they are not a sufficient condition for reaching those decisions'.

Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office: 0207 865 8255

Article tagged as: contamination, farmscale trials, GM, press releases

Outdoors 'pharming' of drugs risks contamination

Last edited 7 September 2001 at 8:00am
7 September, 2001
A bee collects pollen from GM cropsOpen field trials of genetically modified (GM) rice containing human genes are being carried out in the heart of the California's traditional rice growing region, according to Greenpeace. The experiment is being carried out to produce pharmaceuticals.


Volunteers from the international environmental group marked out the field with giant syringes to highlight the risk of growing drug-producing GM crops outdoors. No special effort to protect the environment and the food chain had been made.

Article tagged as: agriculture, contamination, farmscale trials, GM, press releases, USA, vitamin a rice

Greenpeace calls for real solutions in agriculture -

Last edited 3 September 2001 at 8:00am
3 September, 2001

Greenpeace today accused the world's governments of failing to fulfil their commitment to reduce world hunger (1) while ignoring the methods of agriculture that are environmentally sound and proven. Nutritious, high-yielding crops are already being grown. It is the commercial power and political influence of the chemical companies promoting GM farming that prevent proper investment in these real solutions.

Article tagged as: agriculture, bread for the world, DfID, future of farming, GM, GM maize, press releases