Welsh Assembly announces proposals for strict GM controls

Details are published in the document 'Consultation on Proposals for Managing the Coexistence of GM, Conventional and Organic Crops in Wales'.

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In essence, views are being sought on proposals including the imposition of strict liability on GM crop growers, a statutory redress mechanism, GM-free zones and a prohibition on GM crop cultivation in National Parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

“The Welsh Assembly Government’s long-standing position is to adopt the most restrictive policy on GM crops that is compatible with European Union and UK legislation,” said Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones.

“It is not legally possible to declare Wales GM-free – but we will continue our restrictive approach.

“I am committed to maintaining consumers right to choose food without GM presence and the ability of farmers in Wales to grow organic and conventional crops free from GM contamination.

“The intention is for co-existence to be tightly regulated in Wales. Our proposed measures will be more restrictive than those proposed in England and Northern Ireland.”

Proposals include options for imposing strict liability on GM crop growers and introducing a voluntary industry funded compensation scheme. Consideration is also given to an option for a statutory redress mechanism.

In addition, views are being sought on GM-free zones, the desirability of a statutory prohibition on GM crop cultivation in all statutory conservation areas.

“We also propose a statutory national register with public access. GM crops will also require registration with the Assembly three months prior to planting,” added the Minister.

“In addition to the implicit need for consultation with neighbours, in order to ensure compliance with separation distances, it is also proposed that there will be a statutory requirement to inform all neighbours and landowners.

“Record keeping should also be a statutory requirement for GM producers, as will training for all on-farm handlers of GM crops.”

She said the field measures being proposed were based on the average arable field size in Wales of fewer than 3 ha (1.21 acres).

Significant isolation distances between GM and non-GM crops and buffer zones incorporating pollen barriers or traps were also proposed.

Seed threshold views were also being sought as to whether the present 0.1 per cent default seed threshold should be retained, as many Member States’ separation distances had been established on that basis.

The proposals complemented the Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) (Wales) Regulations 2009 that came into force in April which make growers and consent holders liable for any environmental damage they might cause in line with the polluter pays principle.

“These regulations together with our coexistence proposals will help protect the wider countryside from any unintended environmental damage from GM crops,” said the Minister.

• The consultation closes on September 22.

WELCOMING the GM consultation proposals, Farmers Union of Wales president, Gareth Vaughan, said Welsh food producers would quickly lose their competitive edge if genetically modified organisms were to be widely used.

“Our industry has spent a huge amount of money marketing branded Welsh produce – but going down the GM route will quickly lead to us losing that competitive edge so painstakingly built up,” he said.

“Genetic modification is an emotive subject around which there remain major concerns, in the light of which the FUW was one of the first to call on the Assembly s to establish a GM-free Wales.

“Our view since 2000 has been that GMOs should only be tested in a controlled and regulated environment and responses from our 12 county branches have made it clear that the overwhelming majority of members maintain that GMOs would not bring any significant benefits to Welsh agriculture – but could be accompanied by significant risks.”