Hot on the heals of Bayer's withdrawal of Chardon LL GM maize comes yet another confirmation that all is not well for the UK GM crops industry. For the first time in over 10 years, research reveals that none of the Gene Giants (Syngenta, Monsanto and Bayer) are conducting any UK field trials of GM crops.
This year sees a massive reduction in the total number of GM field trials in the UK from a peak of 159 in 2000-2001 to 42 in 2002-2003 to just 1 in 2003-2004.
This may have something to do with the fact that 91 trials out of 476 have been damaged or destroyed in the last five years. This has had a significant impact on the industry because the majority of those targeted were the national seedlisting trials, which are compulsory for the seed licensing process .
This year sees a massive reduction in the total number of GM field trials in the UK from a peak of 159 in 2000-2001 to 42 in 2002-2003 to just 1 in 2003-2004.
This may have something to do with the fact that 91 trials out of 476 have been damaged or destroyed in the last five years. This has had a significant impact on the industry because the majority of those targeted were the national seedlisting trials, which are compulsory for the seed licensing process .
victory (for now...)
Hot on the heals of Bayer's withdrawal of Chardon LL GM maize comes yet another confirmation that all is not well for the UK GM crops industry. For the first time in over 10 years none of the Gene Giants (Syngenta, Monsanto and Bayer) are conducting any UK field trials of GM crops.
Bayer CropScience halted their UK field trials in autumn 2003 because the government refused to let them conceal the locations. It was expected that Syngenta (working in conjunction with Monsanto) would plant R&D trials of their #77 sugar beet this spring. In 2003 Syngenta notified DEFRA of their test site locations by mid February, but as of early April 2004 no notification of trial locations for this year has been received.
Several GM crops companies have crops with active consents for trials in 2004 but as yet it appears that only one trial notification has been received by DEFRA. This is a research and development trial of GM peas by John Innes Centre in Norwich, (TG 180070). This is the second year of a two year trial. More information on this trial from
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/regulation/trials.htm
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/regulation/consents/pdf/03-r29-04.pdf
This year sees a massive reduction in the total number of GM field trials in the UK from a peak of 159 in 2000-2001 to 42 in 2002-2003 to just 1 in 2003-2004.
Year Total GM field trials
2003-4 1
2002-3 42
2001-2 140
2000-1 159
1999-2000 134
Overall 91 trials out of 476 have been damaged or destroyed in the last five years. This has had a significant impact on the industry because the majority of those targeted were the national seedlisting trials, which are compulsory for the seed licensing process .
Information taken from http://www.geneticsaction.org.uk/testsites/
This story, was the result of independent research carried out by activists, which has now reahced the pages of the mainstream press: http://www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,2763,1192043,00.html
This news and other genetics stuff will all be in the fantastic new edition of the (mostly) good news edition of the 'Genetix Update'. Available at www.geneticsaction.org.uk , or you can request a paper copy via
info@togg.org.uk
Bayer CropScience halted their UK field trials in autumn 2003 because the government refused to let them conceal the locations. It was expected that Syngenta (working in conjunction with Monsanto) would plant R&D trials of their #77 sugar beet this spring. In 2003 Syngenta notified DEFRA of their test site locations by mid February, but as of early April 2004 no notification of trial locations for this year has been received.
Several GM crops companies have crops with active consents for trials in 2004 but as yet it appears that only one trial notification has been received by DEFRA. This is a research and development trial of GM peas by John Innes Centre in Norwich, (TG 180070). This is the second year of a two year trial. More information on this trial from
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/regulation/trials.htm http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/regulation/consents/pdf/03-r29-04.pdf This year sees a massive reduction in the total number of GM field trials in the UK from a peak of 159 in 2000-2001 to 42 in 2002-2003 to just 1 in 2003-2004.
Year Total GM field trials
2003-4 1
2002-3 42
2001-2 140
2000-1 159
1999-2000 134
Overall 91 trials out of 476 have been damaged or destroyed in the last five years. This has had a significant impact on the industry because the majority of those targeted were the national seedlisting trials, which are compulsory for the seed licensing process .
Information taken from
http://www.geneticsaction.org.uk/testsites/ This story, was the result of independent research carried out by activists, which has now reahced the pages of the mainstream press:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,2763,1192043,00.html This news and other genetics stuff will all be in the fantastic new edition of the (mostly) good news edition of the 'Genetix Update'. Available at www.geneticsaction.org.uk , or you can request a paper copy via
info@togg.org.uk 
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