Press releases

DEFRA issues a free pass on new GM technique Crop created using CRISPR genome editing techniques to be planted without a full risk assessment

Comment (22 May 2018)

DEFRA has given Rothamsted Research consent to plant a new open air field trial of GM camelina plants, including two lines produced using new CRISPR genome editing techniques. The trial application did not include a risk assessment for the CRISPR plants …
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Proposed GM trial presents new risk to people and wildlife Plants produce wax esters which can cause oily anal discharge if eaten

Immediate release (28 Mar 2018)

Twenty-six organisations including farmers, scientists, retailers and environmentalists today lodged a formal objection to the latest proposed open-air GM field trial by Rothamsted Research. If granted consent by Defra, the trial will see genetically modified camelina plants grown in open …
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Brexit and GM Twin campaigns launched to safeguard our food and our farms

Immediate release (8 Mar 2018)

GM Freeze, the UK’s umbrella campaign on genetic modification (GM) in food and farming, today launched twin campaigns aiming to protect key safeguards as the UK prepares to leave the European Union (EU). Focused on issues around growing and importing …
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Why are NGOs sceptical of genome editing? New peer reviewed report finds that NGO opposition to agricultural biotechnology cannot be dismissed as being emotional or dogmatic

Immediate release (6 Nov 2017)

‘Genome editing is not the answer to world poverty, because food shortage isn’t the problem’ says a group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) surveyed by the University of Nottingham. This is one of three main findings in a report from the …
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Evolution gives insect pests the upper hand Study confirms that pest insects are evolving resistance to GM Bt crops

Breaking News (10 Oct 2017)

A new study published today in the journal Nature Biotechnology has confirmed a huge increase in the number of pest insects that have evolved resistance to the GM Bt crops engineered to kill them. Researchers at the University of Arizona showed …
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Make Brexit mean Better for our food and our farms GM campaign group releases General Election manifesto to protect key safeguards after UK leaves European Union

Immediate release (18 May 2017)

Regulation, labelling and compensation for farmers subjected to GM contamination are all included in a General Election manifesto published today by GM Freeze, the UK umbrella campaign on genetically modified food, crops and patents. Most UK regulation around food and …
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Defra overrides public concern to write regulatory blank cheque for untested GM

Immediate release (8 May 2017)

Despite 119 public representations raising a wide range of concerns, Farming Minster George Eustice quietly gave consent [1] on 27 April to a controversial open air field trial of GM potatoes that have not been tested under controlled conditions. The …
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Illegal GM petunias show disregard for regulation

Comment (8 May 2017)

Commenting on the news that unauthorised genetically modified petunias have been found for sale in the UK, Liz O’Neill, Director of GM Freeze said today: Regardless of whether or not these particular GM plants pose an immediate threat to people, …
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Princess Anne: GM already causes more than “occasional downsides”

Comment (22 Mar 2017)

Princess Anne’s comments in support of GM Crops are widely reported in the media today. Taken from a Farming Today interview that has not yet been broadcast (it will air on 23 March) the Princess Royal’s comments include the idea …
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Regulatory blank cheque for untested GM potatotes? Thirty-three organisations including farmers, scientists, retailers, caterers and environmentalists, have lodged a formal objection to a proposed open air field trial of experimental GM potatoes, describing them as untested, unwanted and unnecessary.

Immediate release (21 Mar 2017)

If granted consent by Defra, the trial will see the experimental potatoes planted in an open field at the Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, despite the fact they have not been tested under controlled conditions. Applications for a “deliberate release” of …
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