Sunday 27 May 2012
Headlines
Did you find this story interesting? (0) (0)
13/01/2004
Soil Association responds to ACRE report
ACRE (the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment) has today issued a report to the Government following the results of the GM field-scale evaluations. ACRE looked at whether the results of the FSEs meet European criteria for banning GM crops on environmental grounds.
The report says that if GM oil seed rape and sugar beet are grown commercially, they will result in damage to the environment: herbicides used on GM crops adversely affect weeds and insects and will lead to loss of bird life.
ACRE said that more investigation is needed into GM maize because the herbicide used at present – atrazine – is due to be banned. ACRE said that in the meantime, if GM maize is grown, it must be managed in exactly the same way as in the field scale evaluations: this means that only one type of herbicide can be used.
Peter Melchett, the Soil Association's policy director said, "We welcome ACRE's decision on GM oilseed rape and sugar beet.
"But when it comes to GM maize, evidence from America shows that it is only practical to use one type of herbicide for the first few years. After that, more herbicides are needed."
The Soil Association points out that the FSEs were the first time, anywhere in the world, that the environmental impact of GM crops was considered compared with non-GM equivalents. This happened because of the insistence of Michael Meacher when he was the environment minister. According to the Soil Association, ACRE's consultation implies that in future all chemical companies must provide similar data on all GM crops.
ACRE's report says that the findings of the FSEs "have implications for agriculture in general". This is because although GM crops were generally a disaster for the environment, the research has shown that non-GM maize, sugar beet and oil seed rape also do great environmental damage.
ACRE's report suggests that all major changes in agricultural practice should be assessed. The report states: "all major changes in agricultural practice (including, for example, the use of herbicide-tolerant crops produced by conventional breeding), not just those associated with GM crops, may need to be scrutinised in terms of their environmental impact".
Peter Melchett said,"We strongly agree that all new pesticides, new crops and other changes to agricultural practice should be assessed for their environmental impact. Organic farmers would warmly welcome this."
The report says that if GM oil seed rape and sugar beet are grown commercially, they will result in damage to the environment: herbicides used on GM crops adversely affect weeds and insects and will lead to loss of bird life.
ACRE said that more investigation is needed into GM maize because the herbicide used at present – atrazine – is due to be banned. ACRE said that in the meantime, if GM maize is grown, it must be managed in exactly the same way as in the field scale evaluations: this means that only one type of herbicide can be used.
Peter Melchett, the Soil Association's policy director said, "We welcome ACRE's decision on GM oilseed rape and sugar beet.
"But when it comes to GM maize, evidence from America shows that it is only practical to use one type of herbicide for the first few years. After that, more herbicides are needed."
The Soil Association points out that the FSEs were the first time, anywhere in the world, that the environmental impact of GM crops was considered compared with non-GM equivalents. This happened because of the insistence of Michael Meacher when he was the environment minister. According to the Soil Association, ACRE's consultation implies that in future all chemical companies must provide similar data on all GM crops.
ACRE's report says that the findings of the FSEs "have implications for agriculture in general". This is because although GM crops were generally a disaster for the environment, the research has shown that non-GM maize, sugar beet and oil seed rape also do great environmental damage.
ACRE's report suggests that all major changes in agricultural practice should be assessed. The report states: "all major changes in agricultural practice (including, for example, the use of herbicide-tolerant crops produced by conventional breeding), not just those associated with GM crops, may need to be scrutinised in terms of their environmental impact".
Peter Melchett said,"We strongly agree that all new pesticides, new crops and other changes to agricultural practice should be assessed for their environmental impact. Organic farmers would warmly welcome this."
No Comments
Nobody has posted any comments on this story.
|
Farming items for Sale
|
Zetor 8540 - Chulmleigh(GBP 12000)
Yanmar YM1301D - Colchester
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
New Holland 740CC - Ashby de la Zouch(GBP 12950)
Massey Ferguson 698 - York
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
John Deere 6930 - Burwell
(Price on Application)
(Price on Application)
Related News
Farming associations urge farmers to respond to mapping exercise - 08 Dec 2009The Rural Payments Agency has revealed that 86,500 English farmers and growers have already received their Single Payment Scheme payment for 2009. Thi...
Sainsbury's drop Soil Association eggs - 23 Sep 2004Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s have de-listed Soil Association eggs in favour of a further roll-out of the Woodland egg concept. SA certified ‘Organ...
Soil Association welcomes new payments for organic farmers - 05 Jun 2003In response to the introduction of new payments for organic farmers in England, Peter Melchett, the Soil Association's policy director said: "The ...
Soil Association welcomes CAP reforms - 27 Jun 2003In response to the CAP reforms, Phil Stocker, Head of Agriculture at the Soil Association said: "The proposed reforms are welcome and represent th...
Soil Association backs Meacher's stance on GM crops - 23 Jun 2003The Soil Association has backed former environment minister Michael Meacher's outspoken criticism of the government's position GM food, in yes...
Soil Association welcomes new ministerial appointments - 19 Jun 2003The Soil Association has welcomed the appointment of Elliot Morley as environment minister, who will have responsibility for GM, and Ben Bradshaw whos...
Soil Association says burial ban on stock is unjustified - 08 Aug 2003New regulations governing the disposal of fallen stock are scientifically unjustified, according to the Soil Association, which is calling for burial ...
Soil Association concern about payments to organic farmers - 23 Feb 2004New payments to organic farmers proposed by Defra do not go far enough, the Soil Association has warned. Defra is planning to introduce a new orga...
Best organic businesses announced by Soil Association - 05 Apr 2004Sainsbury's has been awarded Organic Supermarket of the Year 2004 by the Soil Association, the UK's main charity promoting organic food and fa...
Soil Association Organic Village at Food & Drink Expo 2008 - 09 Aug 2007The sales of UK organic food and drink is growing at an extraordinary rate so the news that the Soil Association is to work with Food & Drink Expo 20...
