§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
What advice they have received about the likely effects upon wildlife if genetically modified crops are planted. [HL871]
§ Lord WhittyHer Majesty's Government are advised on the risks of the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms to human health and the environment by the statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). ACRE give case-by-case advice on specific applications for consent. The Government are also advised on wildlife and conservation matters by English Nature. English Nature have voiced their concerns about the potential effects of commercial use of genetically modified crops encouraging the intensification of agriculture through the way that they are managed. There have been significant declines in farmland wildlife, particularly birds, over the last 30 years and there is evidence that changes in farming methods are one of the factors influencing this decline.
The Government are setting up farm scale studies to investigate the effects of the management of GM herbicide tolerant crops on wildlife, compared to the management of equivalent conventional crops. A paper discussing potential effects of the commercial use of GM crops on wildlife which reflects the views of ACRE and English Nature will shortly be made available.