Government announces fuller evaluations of growing genetically modified crops

Speaking to the House of Lords Select Committee, Michael Meacher and

Jeff Rooker highlighted:

— farm-scale evaluations – a programme of managed development of GM crops whereby the first commercial plantings are strictly limited and monitored for ecological effects along with comparable plantings of conventional crops;

— considering calls from both sides of the debate for an environmental stakeholders forum to discuss and advise on environmental issues raised by biotechology;

n the setting up of a new Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification chaired by Jack Cunningham;

— amendment of Directive 90/220 – the UK is seeking to make sure that the scope of the directive and of the environmental risk assessment are well-defined and broad enough to cover indirect as well as direct effects of GMOs;

— a scientific review of pesticides used on GM crops – comparing the likely impact on biodiversity of current and possible future practice, including an analysis of the likely level of herbicide usage on herbicide tolerant crops;

— a re-assessment of herbicides to be used on GM herbicide tolerant crops – existing approvals will not automatically be transferred to this new use, and re-assessments will cover their effect on non-target species; and

– looking into introducing long term monitoring arrangements capable of picking up any unexpected effects should they emerge in the future.