Genetically modified superweed discovered after British trial

THE first genetically modified superweed has been discovered in Britain — the result of GM oilseed rape cross-breeding with a common weed.

Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth (FoE) said the revelation raises serious concerns about the impact of growing GM oilseed rape in Britain and comes less than a month after Britain tried to persuade other European countries to lift their own bans on growing GM oilseed rape.

FoE said the government study monitored gene flow from Bayer's herbicide-resistant GM oilseed rape to related wild plants during the farm scale evaluations of GM crops.

At one test site, researchers found a GM version of the common weed charlock (Wild Mustard) growing in the field, the year after the GM trial. The plant was resistant to the weed killer used in the GM trial and was confirmed as containing the gene inserted into the GM oilseed rape.

It is the first known case of such an occurrence in Britain and overturns previous scientific assumptions that charlock was unlikely to cross-breed with GM oilseed rape.

Charlock is a common weed found alongside oilseed rape in Britain and mainland Europe.

If GM oilseed rape was grown commercially, herbicide-resistant weeds could become widespread.

Farmers would then have to use more and more damaging weedkillers to get rid of them, with knock-on impacts on the environment.

Bayer has lodged two applications for approval to grow GM oilseed rape with the European Commission. Approval would allow the GM oilseed to be grown in Britain.

FoE said that last month Environment Minister Elliot Morley voted to try to force France and Greece to lift their bans on GM oilseed rape. The bans were originally put in place in 1998 because of concerns about gene escape into the environment.

FoE said Mr Morley justified the British position, saying that he had to vote on the basis of the available science, whilst his department was holding research confirming the risk of gene escape from GM rape.

Mr Morley told BBC Radio 4's Farming Today programme on June 24: "We'll vote on the basis of the scientific advice that we've received."

The minister acknowledged there was widespread public opposition to GM crops which could not be ignored.

He added: "But on the other hand we cannot deviate from the scientific advice because otherwise we do leave ourselves open to pressure from commercial companies, for example."

FoE's GM campaigner Emily Diamand said: "The government's trials have already shown that growing GM crops can harm wildlife. Now we're seeing the real possibility of GM superweeds being created, with serious consequences for farmers and the environment.

"What is disturbing is the way the Government appears to have ignored its own evidence in trying to force GM crops on to countries that have a real cause for concern."