Government slated over GM ‘superweed’ case

The UK government has been slammed by green group Friends of the Earth for ‘ignoring its own evidence’ on genetically modified crops, following the news this week that a biotech ‘superweed’ had been confirmed in the wild. Research originally revealed in the Guardian showed that a conventional weed had developed herbicide resistance after cross-fertilisation with a GM variety from a crop trial.

A herbicide tolerant common charlock weed was discovered by researchers growing in a test field a one year after the government-run trials concluded, confirming the threat of cross-fertilisation and raising fears over the consequences of any widespread commercial GM market.

"The Government's trials have already shown that growing GM crops can harm wildlife. Now we're seeing the real possibility of GM superweeds being created, with serious consequences for farmers and the environment,” said FoE's GM Campaigner Emily Diamand.

The UK’s support of GMOs at EU level, demonstrated with last month’s vote to lift bans on GM oilseed rape, has also come under renewed criticism after this week’s news.

“What is disturbing is the way the Government appears to have ignored its own evidence in trying to force GM crops onto countries that have a real cause for concern. The Government must stop acting as cheerleader for GM crops, and start paying attention to its own research, and above all, to the British public," added Emily Diamand.