With the fate of GM in the UK one of many food-related issues that could be affected by withdrawal from the EU, Defra's decision has dismayed anti-GM campaigners.
Following a risk review by the independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) and a 48-day public consultation, Defra has granted permission for Rothamsted Research to carry out field trials of GM wheat on Rothamsted Farm, in Hertfordshire, between 2017 and 2019.
According to Rothamsted Research (see press release here), this trial will test whether GM wheat plants are able to carry out photosynthesis more efficiently in the field and whether this trait could result in a higher yielding crop.
Sustain member GM Freeze, which had petitioned for the trials not to go ahead, expressed disappointment at the outcome, describing the GM technology as an unnecessary 'techno fix' that diverts money from systemic solutions that would make the food supply more sustainable. Read GM Freeze's response here.
Sustain campaigns for a greener, fairer, healthier food system. Read more about our work here.
Published Sunday 5 February 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
