GM crops should now be bannedJanuary 13, 2004Government advisors have today confirmed that GM herbicide tolerant (HT) crops could harm wildlife, including farmland birds. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has warned that GMHT beet and spring-sown oilseed rape will reduce seed numbers because weeds will be destroyed. Many bird species depend on seeds for their survival. Dr Mark Avery, director of conservation at the RSPB said: "Farmland bird populations have been in freefall for more than three decades. The cultivation of GM beet and oilseed rape would drastically reduce seed numbers and put familiar birds such as the skylark and yellowhammer in even greater peril. This is a 2-0 result against GM crops - the government should not allow GMHT beet or spring oilseed rape to be grown commercially in the UK. "ACRE has echoed our call for more research into GMHT maize before conclusions on its environmental effects are drawn. In America, GMHT maize is often cultivated using the chemical Atrazine alongside other herbicides but Atrazine is soon to be banned in EU states. Without further research it would be premature for the Government to allow GM maize to be grown here." Ends Contact
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