ToxicVomit
09-13-2008, 05:50 AM
GM plants found in Scotland
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Last Updated: 5:01pm BST 12/09/2008
Safety regulations to stop the planting of genetically modified plants in Britain are too weak, environmentalists have claimed, after GM plants were found in Scotland.
The oil seed rape was being grown on two sites near Aberdeen and one near Arbroath as part of a trial into new varieties.
However after it emerged that the seeds had traces of GM, the Scottish Government ordered the plants to be destroyed.
It is illegal to grow GM crops inside the European Union without authorisation.
Michael Russell, the environment minister, said that had not yet been allowed to mature and produce pollen, posed not risk to public or environmental health.
He added: "Had these plants been allowed to mature, the risk to the environment could have been very serious.
"However, prompt action by the Scottish Government is ensuring that the situation is remedied.
"This further emphasises the continuing need for rigourous controls on GM material and for Scotland to remain a GM crop-free zone.
"The Scottish Government are working with stakeholders to understand how this occurred and to ensure that it never happens again."
Duncan McLaren, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said GM crops are not being regulated strongly enough.
"Yet again unauthorised GM seeds have been illegally planted in Britain. This highlights the fact that the safety regulations governing this technology are still far too weak.
"There must be an urgent investigation to find out how this incident occurred, how it can be prevented from happening again and what guarantees can be given that it is not part of a wider problem.
"GM is not the solution to the challenges faced by our food and farming industry. The Government must listen to consumers and back safe, sustainable and locally-produced food."
The GM debate was highlighted recently after Prince Charles warned genetically modified crops were in danger of causing a worldwide environmental disaster.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/09/12/eagm112.xml
By Louise Gray, Environment Correspondent
Last Updated: 5:01pm BST 12/09/2008
Safety regulations to stop the planting of genetically modified plants in Britain are too weak, environmentalists have claimed, after GM plants were found in Scotland.
The oil seed rape was being grown on two sites near Aberdeen and one near Arbroath as part of a trial into new varieties.
However after it emerged that the seeds had traces of GM, the Scottish Government ordered the plants to be destroyed.
It is illegal to grow GM crops inside the European Union without authorisation.
Michael Russell, the environment minister, said that had not yet been allowed to mature and produce pollen, posed not risk to public or environmental health.
He added: "Had these plants been allowed to mature, the risk to the environment could have been very serious.
"However, prompt action by the Scottish Government is ensuring that the situation is remedied.
"This further emphasises the continuing need for rigourous controls on GM material and for Scotland to remain a GM crop-free zone.
"The Scottish Government are working with stakeholders to understand how this occurred and to ensure that it never happens again."
Duncan McLaren, director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said GM crops are not being regulated strongly enough.
"Yet again unauthorised GM seeds have been illegally planted in Britain. This highlights the fact that the safety regulations governing this technology are still far too weak.
"There must be an urgent investigation to find out how this incident occurred, how it can be prevented from happening again and what guarantees can be given that it is not part of a wider problem.
"GM is not the solution to the challenges faced by our food and farming industry. The Government must listen to consumers and back safe, sustainable and locally-produced food."
The GM debate was highlighted recently after Prince Charles warned genetically modified crops were in danger of causing a worldwide environmental disaster.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/09/12/eagm112.xml