THE INDEPENDENT, London, October 10, 1998
Genetic crops may be banned
By Charles Arthur and Michael McCarthy
The Government is considering a three-year
moratorium on the commercial planting of
genetically modified (GM) crops in Britain.
Yesterday, it summoned leaders of biotechnology
companies based in Britain, including the giant
Monsanto corporation, for talks about a voluntary
code, which would delay wide-scale planting of
transgenic crops at least until 2002.
Recommendations from yesterday's meeting will
be passed to the Environment minister Michael
Meacher and the Food minister Jeff Rooker.
They will decide what action the Government
should take over the biotechnology companies'
plans.
The United Kingdom's first bioengineered crop,
an oilseed rape that can survive being dosed with
a specific weedkiller, is due to be grown and
harvested next year. Many more are waiting in the
wings, but the Government's wildlife adviser,
English Nature, believes the whole process should
be halted while essential research is carried out on
their possible effects on the environment.
The front-line crop, developed by the Belgian firm
Plant Genetic Systems, has been cleared for
growing in the European Union. It now only
requires British clearance for the herbicide
developed to go with it. That decision would
normally fall to Mr Rooker. However, it was
learnt last night that the Government has begun its
own review of the EU decision to see if it can be
reversed.
The latest moves follow mounting concern about
the possible health and environmental effects of
the new plants, which have this year been the
subject of an outspoken attack by Prince Charles
and attacks by protest groups that have torn up
scores of plants at test sites.
Last July, English Nature called for the
moratorium, arguing that the use of stronger
weedkillers on crops genetically engineered to
tolerate them could have a "catastrophic" effect
because it could destroy other plant, bird and
insect life.
Last Monday, officials at the Department of the
Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR)
invited English Nature and environmental pressure
groups to restate their case to Linda Smith, head
of the DETR's biotechnology unit, and a senior
official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food. Yesterday, it was the turn of the
companies. Officials will now make
recommendations to their respective ministers.
A Monsanto spokesman said: "Some groups have
said that they want to move to a moratorium. The
purpose of the meeting is to let both sides voice
their opinions. Once those have been gathered, it
is up to Mr Meacher to take a view. We had not
planned commercial planting of crops until 2000."
Earlier this year, Mr Meacher expressed qualms
about the advent of wide-scale commercial
planting of GM crops. "These are difficult issues,
in particular the wider indirect effect on fields," he
said. "The allegation that it can lead to sterility of
fields obviously is a matter of great concern."
Getting companies to agree to a moratorium
would be quicker - and legally easier - for the
Government than seeking a ban on an issue that is
largely controlled from Brussels.
GM crops have become politically important
since 1996, when Monsanto began planting soya
modified to resist its own herbicide in the United
States. It almost sparked a trade war with Europe
when the GM soya was exported without being
marked.
Growing consumer resistance in the UK and on
the Continent has led to labelling of foods made
from transgenic crops, but the governments in a
number of European countries - particularly
Germany and France - are resisting companies'
attempts to introduce new products.
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HOWEVER:
URGENT WARNING REGARDING PROPOSED MORATORIUM (one persons opinion)
NB: GENETIC CROPS MAY BE BANNED (there is no talk of a ban!)
Plan to halve trials of genetically modified plants condemned by Friends of
Earth
URGENT WARNING REGARDING PROPSOSED MORATORIUM
Before getting too excited about the news from today - please bear in mind
that the moratorium (that is merely being suggested) will NOT include testing
of GE crops in the open environment and therefore these tests will continue
and very likely increase heavily throughout the three years. The GE
contamination of the countryside and surrounding wildlife will also
continue along with the trials. The GE seeds will be collected and ready
just in time for the end of the three years. Don't forget either the
absurdity of the talk of a moratorium when thanks to the retrospective
legislation that was pushed through only days ago - the commercial approval
has been made far simpler for industry - (see article)
Nor will the moratorium include imports of GE food from elsewhere, the vast
majority of which will still remain unlabelled on supermarket and other
shelves around the country and in most peoples shopping trollies.
Patents on new GM crops will also continue to race ahead.
THIS IS NOT A TIME TO RELAX OR TO CELEBRATE!
What the moratorium will do is give the companies three years to bombard
the UK with a PR campaign the likes of which we will not have seen before!
Some PR advisors have suggested that the only way forward for the Industry
is to
impose a voluntary moratorium that could then be used to bolster their image.
With the way public opinion is going in this country it is the best and
possibly only way for them to go for them PR wise. We will need to do more
work than ever to put our case forward now and Industry will clap
themselves on the back and say hey look how reasonable we are being. At the
end of the three
years they will turn around and say, hey look you have all been eating it for
the past three years and you don't have two heads yet. Nor will the moratorium
address two basic facts that GE food is unwanted and uneccessary.
The voluntary moratorium also gives the UK government a very nice way out
thankyou very much. They would not have to stand up to the EC or to the
threats from the USA, (the EC is taking France to court over the moratorium on
oislseed rape and sugar beet, which they introduced a few weeks ago). The
suggestion of a moratorium does highlight a possible split in government as
MAFF's Jeff Rooker has said all along that there is no possibility of a
moratorium yet now Meacher seems to be saying that in fact there might well
be.
One good thing about this it is the fact this moratorium has only been
suggested because of the amazing pressure and awareness raising of so many
people throughout the UK. It is also significant that Michael Meacher is
publicly expressing concerns about GE - this is a very new position for the UK
to take in Europe. However lets be under no illusions and be prepared for the
really difficult task ahead if industry go ahead with this voluntary moratorium.
Quite rightly many people will not be happy until there is a complete ban
on GM foods and crops while others will not be happy until a truly inclusive
moratorium is imposed. One which will last for five years, that will include
testing of GM crops, the import of GM foods and the granting of patents on
lifeforms.
Anyway just a few thoughts - keen to hear more.
All the best
GEN
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Plan to halve trials of genetically modified plants condemned by Friends of
Earth
By James Meikle
Guardian (London) Friday October 9, 1998
Government moves to halve the field trials required for genetically
modified crops were attacked by environmental campaigners last night.
The Ministry of Agriculture said seed companies would now need only
two years of official tests to establish the standard and safety of
new products. It plans to abolish requirements for manufacturers to
conduct at least two trials over two years. The department recently
admitted it had not been enforcing the rules for non-genetically
modified seeds for years.
Friends of the Earth said the decision was "unfortunate and
shortsighted" when so little was known about genetically modified
crops.
About 200 types of non-genetically modified seeds have been given
approval without going through the full procedures, but the
Government, which had turned a blind eye, now plans to change the law
because "it had no value whatsoever and was not enforced". The rule
changes will apply retrospectively to validate the flawed approvals.
Pete Riley, food campaigner for FoE, said the rules should not be
changed for genetically modified seeds, and ministers should retain
the power to demand longer tests on all varieties.
"Several seeds can be disastrous on farms and be susceptible to
disease. If you halve the amount of testing you could miss particular
weaknesses in different conditions. This is particularly unfortunate
when the genetic modification industry is so new."
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NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is
distributed without profit to those who expressed a prior interest in
receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.
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