Sites for the autumn trials of oilseed rape in the UK government’s programme of Farm-Scale Evaluations (FSEs) of herbicide tolerant genetically modified (GM) crops were published today [Monday].
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In this, the last year of the three-year programme of FSEs, the sowing of the GM oilseed rape is expected from 19 August onwards depending on weather and soil conditions.
The independent Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), which oversees the FSE programme, has approved the selection of 18 oilseed rape sites to be included in the autumn 2002 sowing round. The total number of sites over the three-year programme (60-75 for each crop) is unchanged.
The list of autumn locations was agreed between the SSC, the research consortium, SCIMAC (the farming and biotechnology industry body) and farmers.
The government said that it believes that it is important for people to know as soon as possible what is happening in their neighbourhoods. Today’s announcement comes six weeks before the first seeds are to be sown in order to give people time to find out about the FSEs in their area. Detailed information on the FSE programme is being sent by DEFRA to parish councils and local authorities in host areas today.
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By GlobalDataAll the seeds in the trials have been through years of rigorous safety tests, said the government. The trials are designed to investigate the effects on biodiversity from the farming practices associated with the particular GM crops in the study.
The GM crops used in the FSEs are separated from any nearby conventional or organic crops to minimise cross-pollination.
There will be no commercial growing of GM crops until the FSEs are completed and only then if the crops and associated farming practices are assessed as causing no unacceptable effects on the environment.
The government expects that the first results of the FSEs for spring-sown crops will be published in a peer reviewed scientific journal in the summer of 2003. The SSC will publish its advice to government at the same time.
The 16 oilseed rape sites in England are as such.
6 Figure Grid Reference Parish County/Authority
NZ 205 367 Oakenshaw Durham
NZ 394 524 Near Burdon village City of Sunderland
SE 792 276 Kilpin East Riding of Yorkshire
SE 841 497 Nunburnholme East Riding of Yorkshire
SJ 398 268 Hordley Shropshire
SJ 714 872 Lymm Warrington
SP 231 535 Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire
SU 379 993 Hinton Waldrist Oxfordshire
SY 692 841 Bincombe Dorset
TA 087 602 Harpham East Riding of Yorkshire
TF 213 972 Thorganby Lincolnshire
TF 227 876 Ludford, East
Wykeham & Ludford
Magna Lincolnshire
TL 048 098 Great Gaddesden Hertfordshire
TM 165 902 Great Moulton Norfolk
TQ 882 397 High Halden Kent
TQ 995 250 Ivychurch Kent
Full details of the sites in Scotland are available on the Scottish Executive web site, to visit this, click here.
