GM Crops (Hansard, 29 October 2001)

§ Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 20 July 2001]: The post-trial procedures for each of the three types of crops grown as part of the farm scale evaluations are set out as follows. In addition the crops are grown in accordance with the industry body, SCIMAC, code of practice and guidelines on the growing of GM herbicide tolerant crops. These specify the agronomic practices to be followed and require monitoring and removal of volunteers in subsequent years.

For oil seed rape, the conditions of the research (Part B) consent require that the seeds produced by the plants are harvested and removed from the site. The field is then ploughed destroying the remaining plant material including the roots. Fallen seeds will remain in the soil. The consent holder is required to monitor the site in the subsequent two years, destroy any oil seed rape volunteers which germinate and submit a monitoring report to the Department.

For beet, the conditions of the consent require that at harvest the beet are lifted and removed from the site. The field is then ploughed destroying the remaining plant material including the roots. The GM plants are not permitted to flower so no seeds will be produced. The consent holder is required to monitor the site in the subsequent year, destroy any beet volunteers which arise and submit a monitoring report to the Department.

The GM maize in the evaluations has a Europe-wide approval for cultivation under Directive 90/220, which does not impose any conditions on growing. However, under the terms of the agreement with SCIMAC setting 547W up the farm-scale evaluations the plants will be harvested and removed from the site which will then be ploughed destroying any remaining roots. Maize does not give rise to volunteers in subsequent seasons.