This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Four fields cleared to join GM programme
21/08/2001
The Scottish Executive has approved the planting of GM oilseed rape at four fields in the North and North East of Scotland.
This is the latest phase in a series of strictly controlled and closely monitored farm-scale trials the results of which will inform policy on the possible future commercial use of GM crops in Scotland. The plantings will take place this autumn as part of the UK wide farm scale evaluation programme. All four fields are in traditional growing areas for autumn-sown oilseed rape.
The variety of oilseed rape being used for the trials has been grown under research conditions in the UK and Europe for approximately ten years without detrimental effect.
Approval was granted following detailed advice from a variety of bodies including Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the Food Standards Agency. All deemed the crops to pose no threat to the environment or people living near the trial sites.
All four sites will take place under closely supervised and regulated conditions. Should any potentially harmful effects be identified, the trial will be stopped and the crop destroyed.
The programme will provide unbiased scientific information to inform decisions on whether GM crops should be permitted to be grown on a larger scale. Scottish Ministers have stressed that no GM crops will be commercially grown in Scotland if the results of the programme suggest that they could pose a threat to biodiversity.
BACKGROUND
1. The approved sites are:
Grid Reference Nearest village Location
NJ 753 346 Rothienorman Aberdeenshire
NJ 747 307 Daviot Aberdeenshire
NJ 756 274 Daviot Aberdeenshire
NH 654 545 Munlochy Ross-shire
2. The farm scale evaluation programme is designed to study the effect, if any, on farmland wildlife of cultivating GM crops in comparison with conventional crops. It is not intended to assess the safety of the GM crop itself which has already been established through years of rigorous safety tests required by the strict European regulatory framework. Scottish Ministers would only grant approval to release a particular GM crop if its safety had been established to the satisfaction of all the regulatory authorities.
3. The Executive secured an extension to the statutory notification period to ensure that everyone with an interest in the programme was aware of the proposals and had the opportunity to comment if they wished. No new evidence has been presented to cast doubt over the assessment of the regulatory bodies.
4. Ministers have considered concerns over the possibility of detrimental impacts on the environment during the trials. However, Ministers must act upon the advice of experts who, on the basis of their professional knowledge, affirm the trials to be safe. Factual information has been made widely available in the area of the proposed sites. Ministers have also met representatives of Highland Council and Highlands & Islands GM Concern.
5. No GM crops will be grown in the UK at least until completion of these farm-scale evaluation. These will not be complete before 2003. Without the trials decisions would need to be taken about the possible commercialisation of GM crops without key factual evidence relevant to that decision.
News Release: SE1937/2001
21 Aug 2001