Briefings

Action Briefing on Agriculture Bill amendment to de-regulate genome editing

1 Jul 2020

The Agriculture Bill will be going to Committee Stage in the House of Lords on 7 July 2020. An amendment has been tabled that would give the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs the power to change the definition of a GMO and re-classify many forms of genome editing as non-GM.

GM Freeze, Beyond GM and GMWatch have produced this joint briefing to explain our opposition to the amendment. In it we explain how the amendment would remove vital safeguards on the use of genome editing in our food and on our farms; why this matters; and why it is out of step with both public opinion and the needs of the food and farming industry.

Political Briefing on Agriculture Bill amendment to de-regulate genome editing

1 Jul 2020

The Agriculture Bill will be going to Committee Stage in the House of Lords on 7 July 2020. An amendment has been tabled with the intention of removing organisms produced by genome editing from the scope of GMO oversight and regulation. GM Freeze, Beyond GM and GMWatch have produced this joint briefing to explain why we oppose this amendment on the grounds that it is undemocratic

GM Freeze General Election 2019 Manifesto

27 Nov 2019

We are asking prospective MPs to make a number of commitments to help create a responsible, fair and sustainable food system. In summary, we want:

• Protection for people, animals and the environment, through robust GM regulations that allow the use of GMOs in food and farming to be properly scrutinised by politicians and the public.
• A fair deal for farmers, beekeepers, growers and everyone in the food chain, with protection from contamination and clear financial liability for any harm done by growing or using GM crops.
• Informed choice for everyone through clear labelling of food produced with GM ingredients or from GM-fed animals.

Brexit and GM – UPDATED

12 Dec 2018

An updated GM Freeze briefing on what plans for the UK’s departure from the European Union mean for GM in food and farming.

Civil Society letter to European Commissioners re: gene drives and ECJ ruling on genome editing

23 Oct 2018

GM Freeze joined organic agriculture organisation IFOAM EU and many others to urge European Commissioners Vella and Andriukaitis to:

• Support an international moratorium on the release into the environment of organisms modified by gene drive technology.
• Uphold the ruling of the European Court of Justice that the products of genome editing techniques are considered as “Living Modified Organisms” (as defined in the Cartagena Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity)
• Align its position regarding Digital Sequnce Information with key international agreements

Brexit and GM

10 Nov 2017

A GM Freeze briefing on how the UK’s departure from the European Union could bring genetically modified crops to our fields and our food; why it matters and what can be done about it.

GM Freeze General Election 2017 Manifesto

19 May 2017

We are asking General Election candidates to protect the integrity of our food, our farms and our crops when the UK leaves the European Union by committing to:

• Rigorous regulation that protects people, animals and the environment
• .Labelling that allows people to take control of what they are eating.
• Protection from contamination.

Joint position statement on new techniques of genetic engineering

19 Feb 2017

A position statement from European Civil Society organisations, including GM Freeze, on why EU GMO law must be fully applied to the so-called ‘New Plant Breeding Techniques’.

The UK debate on New Plant Breeding Techniques and Genetic Modification: Voices from civil society

16 Oct 2016

Report on a workshop held at the University of Nottingham on 13 June 2016. Key issues covered include:

• The importance of terminology
• The dominance of science
• The need to focus on values
• The exclusion of governance issues
• The implications of the ‘crisis narrative’ or ’emergency rhetoric’

Authors are Sarah Hartley, Warren Pearce, Liz O’Neill (GM Freeze Director) and Penny Polson

New Breeding Techniques: inherent risks and the need to regulate

3 Dec 2015

Dr Ricarda A Steinbrecher considers the seven new genetic engineering techniques often referred to as “New Breeding Techniques”. She explains why they share many of the problems of older GM techniques but also bring their own set of risks and uncertainties. She presents the scientific case for classifying all of these techniques as GM and regulating their use with as much rigour as previous and current GM techniques.

This is a scientific briefing from GM Freeze member organisation, EcoNexus, www.econexus.info