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friends of the earth europe, media
advisory
october 16, 2003, brussels (belgium) /
london (ukUK)
genetically modified crops damage
wildlife
-The results released today of some of the
biggest and most controversial outdoor trials
of genetically modified (GM) crops show that
growing GM oilseed rape and beet damages
biodiversity.
Friends of the Earth has called for both
GM crops to be immediately banned from
Europe.
The Farm Scale Evaluations of GM crops
were commissioned by the UK Government in
1999 following intense public hostility and
concern from its own wildlife advisors about
the effects of introducing GM
herbicide-resistant traits. The crops trialed
were Bayer's oilseed rape, maize and fodder
beet, and Monsanto's sugar beet.
All crops are genetically modified to be
resistant to the companies' own herbicides.
The researchers concluded that growing
conventional beet and oilseed rape was better
for many groups of wildlife than growing GM
varieties. In particular:
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in GM beet fields there were 60% fewer
weed seeds, less butterflies and less
bees
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in GM oilseed rape there were 80% fewer
weed seeds and also less butterflies
They concluded that the widespread
introduction of both these crops would lead
to birds struggling to find food later in the
year.
The researchers also concluded that the
maize crop might be beneficial for
wildlife.
However Friends of the Earth has
criticised these trials as they did not
represent how farmers would grow maize in
practice and compared GM with a weed killer
regime that is being withdrawn from
Europe.
The biotech industry must legally forward
the results of the trials to the European
country where they have made an application
to market the crop.For the oilseed rape and
sugar beet this is Belgium, the fodder beet
Denmark, the sugar beet also Germany and the
maize France.
Adrian Bebb of Friends of the Earth Europe
said:
"Companies such as Monsanto and Bayer told
the world that their crops were
environmentally safe. These trials have shown
that this was simply not true. GM oilseed
rape and beet cause more damage to the
environment than conventional crops. Europe
has now no choice but to ban these crops. The
protection of the public and the environment
must come before the financial interests of
the biotech industry."
CONTACT:
Adrian Bebb Friends of the Earth Europe +49
1609 490 1163 (mob)
Pete Riley Friends of the Earth in London
+44 771 2843210 (mob)
Friends of the Earth London press office +44
207 566 1649
Notes to Editors
The full results of the trials can be
found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/fse/index.htm
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