Final farm-scale crop trial finds against GM/THE END FOR GM OILSEED RAPE IN SCOT

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GMW: Final farm-scale crop trial finds against GM/THE END FOR

GM OILSEED RAPE IN SCOTLAND

 

" GM WATCH " <info

 

Mon, 21 Mar 2005 15:51:26 GMT

 

GM WATCH daily

http://www.gmwatch.org

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Even New Scientist's most pro-GM science writer can't do much with

these results. Second item contains some excellent points.

 

1.Final farm-scale crop trial finds against GM

2.THE END FOR GM OILSEED RAPE IN SCOTLAND

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1.Final farm-scale crop trial finds against GM

Andy Coghlan

NewScientist.com, 21 March 2005

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn7178

 

The last of the huge " farm scale evaluations " in Britain - which tested

genetically modified crops against their conventional counterparts -

has found that weedkiller-resistant winter oilseed rape (canola) is

marginally worse for farmland wildlife than its non-GM counterpart.

 

In the results published in 2004, GM spring oilseed rape and GM sugar

beet also came out worse for wildlife, while GM maize came out better.

 

The less clear cut verdict for winter oilseed rape arrived on Monday,

giving an overall 3-1 victory for the conventional crop varieties over

the equivalent GM crops.

 

But this time, the difference between the GM and conventional varieties

was much smaller. And as before, the researchers say that the result

hinges not on whether plants are GM or not, but on the weedkiller regimes

the farmers use to manage the different crops.

 

Appealing seeds

Although GM and conventional plots supported the same amount of weeds,

the balance in the GM fields shifted away from the broadleaf weeds

whose seeds are favoured by birds - especially finches, such as

yellowhammers. In their place grew grassy weeds whose seeds are less

appealing.

 

But, complicating the picture, beneficial insects such as springtails

were more plentiful on the GM plots. Pollock said that the winter rape

results broadly matched those with spring rape, but were less emphatic.

 

But although all the results are now in, Pollock cautions against using

them as the final word on GM crops. " The nub of the debate is how you

farm, and what we share with the wildlife, " he says.

 

Abandoning winter growing altogether would be the most beneficial

outcome for birds. This is because weeds and stubble in the fallow fields

provide them with food that they are denied if the farmer grows crops

instead. But growing winter crops allows farmers to farm more

efficiently.

" It's society's choice, " Pollock adds.

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2.THE END FOR GM OILSEED RAPE IN SCOTLAND

Munlochy GM Vigil:

PRESS RELEASE

(for immediate release)

 

Todays GM Oilseed Rape (OSR) Farm Scale Evaluation results mark the end

of the GM OSR experiment in Scotland

 

The results, may lead some to call for further research, for further

clarification, but, put simply, winter and spring sown GM OSR damage the

environment.

 

Under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (1):

 

" all public bodies and individual office holders have a statutory duty

to further biodiversity in exercising their functions. This applies to

the Scottish Executive itself, to all government agencies, and to local

government " (2)

 

Anthony Jackson of the Munlochy GM Vigil declares;

 

" Clearly no GM Oilseed Rape furthers biodiversity, and as such, the

Scottish Executive, under its own rules, has no option but to prevent GM

OSR being

grown in Scotland.

 

Furthermore results from the " global experiment " with GM crops show

that;

 

 

*there are no long term improved yields for GM crops

 

*there is no long term reduction in pesticide use with GM crops,

 

*and there are no long term safety tests for GM foods.

 

What GM crops do bring are environmental damage, consumer rejection,

patenting of life forms, and further intensification of agriculture.

 

Now is the time to draw a line,

 

*public funding for research should be re- directed to producing more

palatable crops

 

*government patronage should be withdrawn from the GM multinationals

 

and imports of GM animal feed should be halted, and supermarkets should

source all their animal feed supplies from non GM agriculture. "

 

" The GM silver bullet, has to put it mildly, lost its sheen, and now we

must take this opportunity to work towards real long term solutions for

Scottish,

UK, and Global agriculture and food security. "

 

ENDS

 

 

Editors Notes

 

(1)http://www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2004/400\

06--b.htm#1

 

(2) " Scotlands Biodiversity, its in your hands " page 48, section 5.3

The Scottish Executive 2004

 

PRESS CONTACT;

Anthony Jackson 07753865540

 

website;

http://www.munlochygmvigil.org.uk

 

 

 

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