What is the Governments policy on GM crops?
The Government set out its policy on the commercial growing of GM crops in a statement to Parliament in March 2004. This reflected a careful evaluation of all the available information including the reports from the GM public debate, science review and costs and benefits study (see section below). No other country has undertaken such a comprehensive assessment of the case for and against GM crops. Having weighed all the evidence, we have concluded that the only sensible approach is to assess each GM crop on an individual case-by-case basis. The Government’s top priority is to protect human health and the environment. Under European Union (EU) legislation each proposed release of a GM product is subject to a detailed risk assessment which involves careful scrutiny by independent scientists. An evaluation is made of all the risk factors that may arise, including possible toxic or allergenic effects and the likely consequences of any gene transfer. The Government takes a precautionary app
