APPENDIX 4
Memorandum submitted by Mr M Gzesiukowicz
(G 5)
I am writing on behalf of our organisation,
which campaigns for GM free crops and food, in connection with
your impending assessment of the implications of the contamination
of non-GM/organic crops with GM material and the subsequent segregation
of GM and GM-free crops.
1. The recent findings of contamination
of the non-GM rape seed shows unequivocally that separation distances
between the crops abroad and in this country are completely inadequate
and new guidelines should be put in place immediately; with at
least 800m separation distances and environmental impact assessments
being undertaken.
2. A compensation framework to farmers due
to contamination should be set up at once. The "polluter"
should pay not only for this but for environmental monitoring
to assess the GM organisms in the wild. Totally inadequate research
on GM material in the environment has been undertaken and this
should be acknowledged and addressed when considering seed contamination
with GM material.
3. All seed should be monitored for contamination—as
this is obviously widespread: the Advanta oil seed rape is surely
not an isolated case and contaminated maize has also been sown
in France this year with farmers and consumers the unwitting victims.
Testing the seed for GM contamination is a simple process and
procedures should be set up immediately.
Also a point to note is that a 1 per cent contamination
rate might be acceptable to biotech companies and governments
but not to consumers who must be considered in this, together
with organic farmers.
I hope that you will encourage proper safeguards
in the future.
10 July 2000
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