SCIMAC Press Release

SCIMAC Statement Regarding Lushill Farm's Decision To Terminate GM Crop Trial

SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) regrets the personal decision taken by the Trustees of Lushill Farm, Hannington, Wiltshire, to discontinue the farm's involvement in the Government's programme of farm-scale evaluations of GM and non-GM crops.

However, this isolated decision in no way detracts from the long-term significance of these DETR-funded studies in assessing the wider ecological effects of growing GM herbicide tolerant crops in direct comparison with current farming practice. As such the evaluations will help answer the concerns raised by conservation and environmental groups.

The Government confirmed that the site in question met all the necessary requirements in terms of environmental safety, and it is extremely disappointing that the preparation and work involved in establishing this site, and the resulting data, have been lost.

This in no way affects SCIMAC's commitment to answering the questions surrounding GM crops, and to moving forward with the managed development of the technology according to established practical and scientific principles. A survey recently published by the Independent newspaper (19 May 1999) indicated that 69% of the general public are in favour of these farm-scale evaluations being carried out.

The remainder of this year's farm-scale plantings are still in place, and will form the basis for continuing evaluation of the ecological effects of GM cropping.

The farmer involved, Captain Fred Barker, has said: "I very much regret that the Trustees of my family settlements have decided against our involvement in these evaluations. This in no way diminishes my personal belief in GM crop technology, and the potential benefits it holds for British agriculture."

Notes to Editors

1. SCIMAC is a formal grouping of industry organisations representing farmers, plant breeders, the seed trade and biotechnology companies. Member organisations share a commitment to the responsible and effective introduction of GM crops in the UK.

2. SCIMAC membership comprises the National Farmers Union, British Society of Plant Breeders, British Agrochemicals Association, UK Agricultural Supply Trade Association and the British Sugar Beet Seed Producers Association.

3. SCIMAC has developed guidelines for the responsible and effective introduction of GM crops onto UK farms. This will provide a framework of good agricultural practice in the management of GM crops to ensure that potential environmental benefits are realised in practice. Government backing for the SCIMAC programme was announced in the House of Commons by the Rt Hon Dr Jack Cunningham MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office, on Friday 21 May. Details in Cabinet Office Press Release CAB 109/99.

4. The aim of the Government's programme of ecological monitoring is to assess the effects on farmland wildlife of growing herbicide tolerant GM crops on a field scale in direct comparison with equivalent non-GM crops.

5. The Government-funded studies cover forage maize, spring and winter oilseed rape. SCIMAC has welcomed the opportunity to collaborate in this programme by providing seed and organising sites for each crop.

6. SCIMAC has consistently maintained that, properly managed, GM crops offer the potential for significant environmental advantages. In the case of herbicide tolerant crops, these include optimised use of herbicides, improved cultivation techniques and greater flexibility for weed management.

7. This programme of ecological research has been specifically designed to answer concerns raised by conservationists and environmental groups. It is imperative that these studies are completed successfully, and SCIMAC has welcomed the active involvement of organisations such as English Nature and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the development and management of the project.

Further information:

Roger Turner, SCIMAC Chairman 01353 644000

Daniel Pearsall, SCIMAC Secretary 01733 231133