Contamination and Coexistence

Contamination and Coexistence section

One major concern about growing GM crops is whether it will be possible to maintain non-GM food supplies which have not been contaminated by GM and who will bear the cost if contamination arises.  The Government also said it would not allow commercial cultivation of GM crops in the UK until agreed rules were in place.Under European Guidelines, each country in the European Union is allowed to establish its own rules to limit contamination. Key issues include:

  • what level of contamination is the target maximum for conventional non-GM and organic produce;
  • who will pay for any economic losses caused by GM contamination;
  • whether or not areas of the UK could establish themselves as GM-free.

The Government consultation process started on 20th July 2006. The proposals allow for a 0.9% contamination of non-GM crops. The deadline for responses is October 20th 2006. Read the GeneWatch UK response to the consultation below.

There are a number of ways in which a GM crop may cause contamination of other non-GM crops of the same species or of wild related species, including the following:

  • Cross-pollination of neighbouring crops.
  • Seed spilt at harvest that germinates and contaminates later crops grown in the field. 
  • Seed split around fields and on verges during transport after harvest.
  • Mixing of GM and non-GM crops in storage or during distribution.

GeneWatch is campaigning for a system which:

  • allows non-GM and organic farmers to avoid GM contamination. This requires an approach which limits GM contamination to the lowest detectable levels;
  • allows regions to declare them selves 'GM-free'
  • compensates non-GM and organic farmers if their crops become contaminated with GM leading to economic losses; and
  • ensures the biotechnology industry, not the government, funds the compensation scheme.

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