Mar 11, 2004

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After the study of herbicide-resistant plants and species diversity

British government allows the cultivation of GM maize

The British government has agreed to the cultivation of herbicide-resistant maize, but only for a limited period of time and subject to certain restrictions. But the cultivation of oilseed rape and sugar beet will not be permitted for the time being. Although scientists and scientific organisations in particular have welcomed the decision, it has been criticised by environmental groups.

Margaret Beckett, British environment minister: “The Farm-Scale Evaluations also raised much more far reaching questions about crop management and the environment, questions which, incidentally reinforce the value of the case-by-case approach. There was no blanket difference between GM and non-GM crops. The trial crop with the ‘best’ results for the environment was a conventional crop. The one which was ‘worst’ was also a conventional crop.”

Prof. John Lawton, Chief Executive of the National Environmental Research Council: “We at the National Environmental Research Council are very pleased that the debate on the environmental consequences of growing GM crops continues to be informed by good science.”

Jules Pretty, Chair of ACRE (Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment). “This decision by government correctly shows that GM crops should be treated on a case-by-case basis. … Herbicide-tolerant maize is better for wildlife than its conventional equivalents and given no other concerns, risks to consumers or the environment, the scientific community has concluded that it should be made available to farmers.”

The government’s decision, which environment minister Margaret Beckett presented to the Commons on 9 March 2004, is based on the findings of a three-year trial series known as the Farm-Scale Evaluations (FSE), the results of which were published in the autumn. These trials looked at the effects of different pesticide concepts on species diversity. For maize, oil seed rape and beets the aim was to discover whether the new systems based on genetically modified crops and an appropriate complementary herbicide fare better in terms of agro-biodiversity than conventional methods of pest control currently in use.

Issues relating to the safety of GM plant products can be addressed on a solid scientific basis within the context of the compulsory safety assessment. Before approving a GM crop, acute toxic effects on other organisms or its infestation potential can also be assessed. However, the British government felt that the potential impact of cultivating herbicide-resistant plants on the species diversity of plants, insects or birds was not given sufficient consideration in the approval process. It therefore commissioned the Farm-Scale Evaluations in an effort to fill these gaps in our knowledge.

The British government is now resolutely putting the findings into action.

Oilseed rape and beet: No environmental advantage, no cultivation

None of the herbicide-resistant varieties of sugar beet and oilseed rape tested in the Farm-Scale Evaluations will be permitted. Britain will oppose approval applications for these in the EU.

Conventional herbicide strategies currently used in oilseed rape and beets had proved less harmful to agro-biodiversity than those based on herbicide resistant plants.

Maize cultivation approved subject to restrictions

In contrast, the cultivation of herbicide-resistant varieties of maize will be permitted. The herbicide resistance concepts with GM maize fared better, largely because the herbicide atrazine generally used in Britain clears the fields particularly thoroughly and almost totally destroys the weeds.

However, the EU approval for atrazine expires in 2006. From then on, less environmentally harmful herbicides will have to be used in maize cultivation. Consequently, the HR system could lose its “biodiversity advantage” over the standard conventional concept. Environment Minister Margaret Beckett announced her intention to conduct further trials in this respect.

The cultivation of herbicide-resistant maize is permitted only under the conditions that proved advantageous for species diversity during the FSE trials. The varieties used in the FSE trials are based on T25 maize, which received EU approval in 1998. This approval expires in 2006. The British government will support an extension only if the biodiversity balance continues to be positive.

The cultivation of GM maize is also subject to appropriate coexistence rules, which permanently safeguard the coexistence of agricultural systems with GM and non-GM crops. Britain aims to formulate these rules immediately. Margaret Beckett does not expect GM maize to be grown in Britain before 2005.

Update (31 March 2004):

Despite the government’s decision, no herbicide-resistant maize will be grown in Britain for the time being. Bayer CropScience announced that it would not be marketing its maize variety ChardonLL. The conditions announced by the government had not yet been defined and so further delays could be expected. The commercialisation of the five-year-old herbicide-resistant maize variety was therefore no longer economically viable. Its EU approval must be renewed in 2006.

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