Feb 22, 2010

Coexistence

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National coexistence rules

Britain

DEFRA, the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, submitted a consultation paper on coexistence in July 2006. The British government aims to establish coexistence rules on the basis of this document.

Aspects of coexistence which DEFRA regards as the most important would be enshrined in law. This includes regulations relating to separation distances and the duty to inform. Other coexistence measures would be set out in a less binding code of practice. DEFRA aims to compile this list of measures in consultation with industry and other stakeholders. The effectiveness of all coexistence measures would be reviewed after two or three years and modified if necessary.

Although the ministry has indicated its current thinking on various related aspects of coexistence in the consultation paper, the issues are open for discussion.

Authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would similarly draw up their own coexistence rules. No commercial cultivation of GM crops is expected in Britain before 2009.