Among the most important matters in relation to GM food and feed is a requirement to publish findings clearly demonstrating the safety of the food or feed.

The Royal Society's Report Ref.11/99 of June 1999 "Review of data on possible toxicity of GM potatoes" made the abundantly clear recommendation: "In view of the public interest in this case, we recommend that the results of any future studies on testing GM food safety, when completed, should be reviewed then published."

On enquiry of DEFRA about such safety testing on the pulp used for animal feed coming from GM sugar beet, I was told that they were not aware of any safety tests having been carried out. This seems to me to totally ignore the Royal Society's recommendation.

Furthermore, I am not aware of any published work on food/feed safety trials of GM oilseed rape or GM maize. If I am wrong, please could you advise me of such publications.

Without such recommended publications, there will always be doubts about the safety of GM food/feed crops.