APPENDIX 24
Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Professor Alan Gray (R 37)
FARM SCALE EVALUATIONS OF GM CROPS
HOW IS
THE STUDY
ORGANISED?
The project is being undertaken by a consortium
of research institutes, the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology,
the Institute of Arable Crops Research and the Scottish Crops
Research Institute. It is funded by the DETR, MAFF and the Scottish
Executive and is overseen by an independent Steering Committee.
Further information can be obtained from the
DETR official website of the project: http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/fse/index.htm
WHAT COMPARISONS
ARE BEING
MADE?
The research is evaluating the effects of genetically-modified
herbicide tolerant crops on wildlife. GM spring oilseed rape,
winter oilseed rape and maize are being grown under conditions
that would apply commercially, ie within typical rotations on
representative farms. Beet may be included in the experiments,
depending on the deliberations of the Steering Committee.
The farms are representative of commercial practice,
and so exclude organic farms (which would not grow GM crops).
The sample size—a target of 25 farms per crop per year—is
that considered sufficient to reveal statistically significant
differences with an appropriate power. The fields are split, with
one half receiving the GM crop and the other a comparable non-GM
variety. The allocation of treatment to field section is at random.
Under the present contract the following variables are monitored:
Arable plant diversity, biomass and estimated
seed return.
Field margin and boundary vegetation.
Slug and snail abundance, activity and diversity
measures.
Arthropods on vegetation, concentrating on plant
bugs (Heteroptera), springtails (Collembola) and the caterpillars
of butterflies, moths (Lepidoptera) and sawflies; diversity and
biomass measures.
Carabid beetles and other ground dwelling arthropods;
abundance and biodiversity measures.
Bees and butterflies; preference measures.
A pilot project looking at birds and mammals
is due to take place in 2000. Gene flow to neighbouring crops
is also being monitored. The project will report at the end of
the year 2002.
HAS SIMILAR
WORK BEEN
CONDUCTED ELSEWHERE?
We know of no other project anything like as
comprehensive as this. Much of the data from the USA and Canada
is anecdotal and there is very little information on the effects
of growing GM crops on farmland biodiversity. There are studies
on GM herbicide tolerant beet in Denmark that lack the degree
of replication of the UK trials (but which may have some relevance
to British agriculture).
10 January 2000
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