Genetically Modified Crop Commercialisation

Members will wish to be aware that Margaret Beckett, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has made a statement today to the House of Commons about the UK Government’s policy on the commercialisation of GM crops.
In the light of this statement, I stress that the Assembly Government’s position on the commercialisation of GM crops is clear, unambiguous and remains unchanged. We have consistently endorsed taking the most restrictive approach possible to the commercialisation and growing of GM crops in Wales within current UK and EU legislation. However, this does not mean that we can declare Wales GM free as many would like. To do so would be illegal and it would be irresponsible for any Government to work outside the legislative framework.
Before arriving at its policy decision, the UK Government took into account the views expressed in the dialogue on GM. Those views comprised a public debate, science review and cost benefit study, as well as the results of the farm-scale evaluations and the Agriculture and Environmental Biotechnology Commission report on co-existence and liability.
The commercialisation of GM crops in the UK will be considered on a case by case basis. The importation and cultivation of GM crops is governed by the deliberate release directive, which provides the legal framework. Under the directive, all applications require a part C marketing consent. By insisting that each crop is dealt with individually there will need to be a comprehensive assessment by all EU member states for every UK application on the basis of the scientific evidence, and collective agreement will need to be reached. If there is sound evidence to suggest that there is an unacceptable risk, we would not expect agreement to be forthcoming. Furthermore, no approval will be given unless sufficient scientific evidence is available upon which to make a decision.
Before any decision is taken to commercialise or market GM crops, the Assembly Government will give full consideration to the protection of human health and the environment, choice for consumers and farmers, co-existence measures, and compensation schemes. On the protection of human health and the environment, I will take account of the advice of the Government’s statutory advisers such as the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.
Regarding choice for consumers and farmers, new legislation on food and feed traceability and labelling comes into force in 2004, which will allow consumers to choose the content of products, and farmers to choose the composition of animal feeds. Furthermore, the Welsh Assembly Government, together with other UK administrations and stakeholders, will investigate whether tighter thresholds for the adventitious presence of GM in non-GM products that are lower than the EU-agreed 0.9 per cent threshold can be introduced for organic produce.
Commission guidance encourages regional co-existence measures to allow farmers to continue with their traditional farming practices without placing illegal restrictions on GM crops. The Assembly Government, in partnership with other UK Governments, will therefore seek to introduce robust co-existence measures and explore the possibility of voluntary GM-free zones, as allowed for in the commission guidance. We will be looking to hold a wide consultation with stakeholders, UK and EU administrations and the commission.
As I indicated in my statement to Plenary on 24 February on the possible listing of Chardon LL, the Assembly Government is concerned that sufficient controls should be in place to protect organic and conventional crops from possible GM contamination. I can now be clearer on this issue. The Welsh Assembly Government will not agree to the listing of Chardon LL until the changes sought to the part C consent are agreed upon with our European partners. We also intend to ensure that satisfactory co-existence measures are in place before commercialisation can occur.
Finally, the Assembly Government, along with the other UK administrations and stakeholders, will be investigating the possibility of introducing a compensation scheme for non-GM farmers. The agreed UK policy does not present a green light for GM crop commercialisation, but a careful evaluation on a crop-by-crop basis. This is a restrictive and cautious approach in line with the legislative framework. Our aim in Wales is to ensure that sufficient controls are in place to prevent any potential risk to human health and the environment from the possible growing of GM crops, as well as protection for other commercial conventional and organic growers and the provision of consumer choice.