GM study a boost to technology opponents

OPPONENTS of genetically modified vegetation technology yesterday seized on the results of the largest field-scale crop trials ever carried out in Britain.

Groups calling for a GM ban said evidence from the trials that growing certain genetically modified crops is worse for wildlife than conventional varieties proved the risks to the environment.

And they predicted that commercial use of the crops could be “the final nail in the coffin for some species”.

However, the long-awaited study, by the Scientific Steering Committee which oversaw the nationwide trials, also found that other GM crops were good for wildlife.

The findings showed that some insects such as bees in beet crops and butterflies in beet and spring oilseed rape were recorded more often in and around conventional crops than herbicide-tolerant GM varieties because there were more weeds to provide food and cover.

There were also more weed seeds in conventional beet and spring rape crops than in their GM counterparts. The seeds are important in the diet of some animals and birds.

However, the results showed that some groups of soil insects were found in greater numbers in herbicide-tolerant GM beet and spring rape crops.

There were also more weeds in and around herbicide-tolerant GM maize crops, more butterflies and bees around at certain times of the year and more weed seeds.

There has been criticism over the use of a weed killer, Atrazine, on conventional crops in the trials as it is highly efficient compared with the gentler herbicide used on GM maize.

GM critics, led by former British Environment Minister Michael Meacher, who launched the field scale evaluations in 1999, said that as Atrazine is to be banned by the EU the trials are not valid and should be re-done.

The trials have been dogged by controversy from the start when environmental groups destroyed some crops warning of the dangers of cross-pollination which it was claimed would destroy the livelihoods of organic farmers.

Opponents also fear GM crop technology could lead to the emergence of new herbicide-resistant weeds which could cause havoc in the countryside.

The researchers yesterday stressed that the differences they found are not a result of the way in which the crops have been genetically modified.