GM crop trials are 'invalid'

Monday, 13 October 2003 12:00 AM

Former environment minister Michael Meacher has claimed that farm-scale trials to assess the safety of genetically-modified crops have been rendered invalid because of the use of a chemical that is now banned by the EU.

The trials for three types of crop - oil seed rape, sugar beet and maize - have been taking place over the last three years, and have compared the environmental impact of the chemicals used in conventional and GM farming.

The results of the trials are due to be published on Thursday, but at the start of this month 'The Guardian' published a report claiming that the outcome would be negative for two of the three crops. The newspaper claims that only GM maize is likely to considered by scientists for UK commercial production.

Mr. Meacher, who set up the trials while at Defra, has claimed that the use of the banned weed killer atrazine has meant that the trials do not genuinely compare GM farming with non-GM methods.

Environmental campaigners have backed his view, although the Government has dismissed the suggestion that the tests will have to be started again from scratch.

Mr. Meacher's criticisms come as anti-GM campaigners descended on Westminster today to lobby the Government, ahead of Thursday's announcement. The published results will be forwarded to the government's GM think-tank ACRE, before a decision is made on the commercial use of GM crops.

Critics believe that more testing is needed on whether or not the crops are safe for human consumption, and on the possibility of cross-pollination and the long-term impact on non-GM plants.

Mr. Meacher commented: "This is something where the political machine simply cannot steamroller public opinion; the Government's got to listen to the people and act on it."

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