farmscale trials

Thousands vote for GM-free food

Last edited 12 August 2003 at 8:00am

Almost 15,000 people voted in our GM-o-Meter polls, with an overwhelming majority saying they want food to be free from all GM ingredients.

This week we sent the results to the Government's GM Public Debate, because we want them to know the public won't swallow GM.

The GM Public Debate ran from June to July, supposedly to let the public have their say on GM foods. Despite the Government's best efforts to make sure the debate wasn't advertised, thousands of people got involved and had their say.

Greenpeace comments on GM sugar beet research

Last edited 20 January 2003 at 9:00am
Farm Scale Trials

Farm Scale Trials

A new UK report, A novel approach to the use of genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops for environmental benefit", has claimed that growing GM sugar beet in the UK significantly increases the amount of wildlife in fields. The research was done by Brooms Barn Research Station and was part-funded by Monsanto, but "independently" assessed. It was based on modifying the herbicide regime for GM Roundup Ready sugar beet and claimed that later, more targeted spraying produced more weeds, hence more insects and eventually better response from bird populations. However, the data was very incomplete, and the timing of the herbicide application was absolutely crucial. It showed that early application resulted in an increased yield, but significantly less biodiversity improvement. Late application meant lower yields, but higher wildlife dividends.

Save our seeds!

Last edited 28 August 2002 at 8:00am
A field of organic crops

A field of organic crops

Genetic impurities found in GM Farm Scale Trial Crops

Last edited 15 August 2002 at 8:00am
15 August, 2002

Further evidence that biotechnology companies are unable to manage the release of genetically modified (GM) crops in the UK came to light today when Aventis admitted significant contamination of oilseed rape trials in England and Scotland. The GM crop, which is resistant to the herbicide Liberty, was also found to contain marker genes conferring resistance to the antibiotics neomycin and kanamycin, and makes up 2.8% of the total crop that Aventis has tested in the UK since 1999.

Government announces location of more GM crop trials

Last edited 14 March 2002 at 9:00am
A field of organic crops

A field of organic crops

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).

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

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Lyng retrial court reports

Last edited 31 October 2001 at 9:00am

GM Farm Scale Trials

Last edited 23 October 2001 at 8:00am
Publication date: 
21 October, 2001

In spring 1999, following widespread calls for a halt to the development of genetically modified (GM) crops in the UK, the Government launched a four-year programme of farm scale trials (see glossary). The trials have been designed primarily to answer criticisms from English Nature and others concerned about the environmental impact of GM crops, particularly the secondary effects on biodiversity.

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GM Farm Scale Trials

Last edited 23 October 2001 at 8:00am
Publication date: 
30 March, 2000

Greenpeace briefing

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