After picking over the results of the UK farm scale evaluations (FSEs) for three genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops - published on 16 October 2003 - the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) said this week that if GMHT beet and GMHT oilseed rape were to be grown and managed as in the FSEs 'this would result in adverse effects on arable weed populations', notably farmland birds.
Although the decision on whether GM crops will become of feature of UK farms in the future now lies with the ministers, the group emphasised that the FSE results 'raise important questions about environmental protection in agricultural ecosystems'. To such an extent that the committee has opted to form a subgroup - due to kick off in early 2004 - 'to examine the wider implications of the FSEs'.
"Farmland bird populations have been in freefall for more than three decades. The cultivation of GM beet and oilseed rape would drastically reduce seed numbers and put familiar birds such as the skylark and yellowhammer in even greater peril. This is a 2-0 result against GM crops - the government should not allow GMHT beet or spring oilseed rape to be grown commercially in the UK,' said Dr Mark Avery, director of conservation at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the UK's long-established bird defence group.
For Dr. Avery, ACRE echoed the RSPBs call for more research into GMHT maize before conclusions on its environmental effects are drawn. Without further research it would be premature for the government to allow GM maize to be grown here, added the group.
Commenting on the issue this week, UK environment secretary Margaret Beckett refused to be drawn in either direction. "I have said consistently that the government is neither pro- nor anti-GM crops - our over-riding concern is to protect human health and the environment, and to ensure genuine consumer choice," she said.
More specifically UK ministers are currently looking at whether the UK should press for existing EU marketing consents for GMHT maize to be revoked or amended, and whether the UK should support or oppose the granting of EU marketing consents for GMHT spring oilseed rape and beet.
There are currently no GM crops being grown in the UK and none haveall the approvals required for commercial cultivation.