GM Science Review: Background

Text of Margaret Beckett's Press Release of 31^st May 2002

This was published by Defra and is reproduced here for convenience.

BECKETT ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC DEBATE ON GM

The Government today welcomed the advice from the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC) that it should encourage public discussion and examination of GM issues - including GM crops.

Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett, said the Government considers that there should be a full and informed debate. The Government will later need to take decisions on the possible commercialization of GM crops.

Margaret Beckett said:

"We recognise there are a number of serious issues to be considered. The Government wants to start the debate as soon as possible and I have asked for two key pieces of work to begin in parallel which will cover the economics and science of GMs, including GM crops. Other areas of work will follow. I believe it is crucial to have an informed and open debate about all these issues.

"An economic assessment, which may involve the Performance and Innovation Unit, will cover the costs and benefits of GM crops. The assessment will consider conventional and organic farming interests that might be affected by the commercialisation of GM crops, other commercial interests and the international dimension. For example, GM crops may have potential in developing countries where there is greater need for increased food production.

"The science will be assessed by Professor David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Professor Howard Dalton, my Department's Chief Scientific Adviser, working with the Food Standards Agency, and drawing on all available expert and scientific advice and evidence. Their work will include an evaluation of the current state of knowledge on GM issues and will address public concerns about whether there are risks to human health or the environment from GM crops and food."

The Government is now considering the details of AEBC's advice and will respond in detail to the Commission at a later date.

Notes for editors

1. In January the Government asked AEBC for advice on how best to take forward a public debate on GM issues in advance of any future decisions on possible commercialisation of the crops in the Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) programme.

2. AEBC submitted their advice on 26 April.

3.The GM debate web pages are available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/debate/index.htm.