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for a responsible, fair & sustainable food system

Consultation responses

Detailed, referenced, written responses to a wide range of formal consultations concerning issues relating to GM in food and farming. This includes objections to UK GM field trials, submissions to parliamentary inquiries and more. Multi-agency responses are submitted on behalf of GM Freeze and other organisations.


Defra: Multi-agency response to GM camelina trial 23/R08/01

12 Apr 2023

Mammal genes are copied and added to GM camelina plants

GM Freeze and twenty other organisations urge Defra to refuse Rothamsted Research’s application for consent to plant extensive open air field trials of GM camelina.

Objection as submitted 12 April

Download file

Updated version of objection, as submitted 17 April

Download file

Defra: Multi-agency response to GM wheat trial 22/R55/01

11 Jan 2023

GM Freeze and twenty four other organisations asked Defra to refuse permission for Wild Bioscience Ltd to plant genetically modified wheat in new open field trials on Rothamsted Research’s farm.

FSA / FSS: Eight GMO food and feed approval applications

6 Dec 2022

trio image

GM Freeze response to the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland consultation on plans to recommend that Ministers approve eight different GMOs for use in the UK food chain. We also comment briefly on the change of authorisation holder for a large number of other GMOs.

GM Freeze evidence to Genetic Technology Bill Committee

6 Jul 2022

Image demonstrating the risks of manipulating DNA

Written evidence submitted to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee considering Westminster’s Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill.  Key points covered are:

  • Precision breeding is genetic modification
  • Nature protects key parts of the genome
  • All genetic material matters
  • Businesses and the public have already rejected the measures included in the bill
  • Key areas of concern in the bill

The report submitted as Appendix 2 of our evidence is available on the Testbiotech website 

Defra: Multi-agency response to GM potato trial 22/R29/01

29 Apr 2022

GM Freeze and twenty seven other organisations asked Defra to refuse permission for the Sainsbury Laboratory to plant genetically modified potatoes in yet more open field trials.

Defra: Multi-agency response to GM barley trial 21/R54/01

17 Feb 2022

GM Freeze and nineteen other organisations asked Defra to refuse consent for the Cambridge University Crop Science Centre to release genetically modified barley in an open field trial.

Defra: Multi-agency response to GM wheat trial 21/R52/01

27 Jan 2022

ripe wheat field

GM Freeze and twenty six other organisations asked Defra not to allow the John Innes Centre to plant another open field trial of genetically modified wheat.

FSA / FSS: Nine GMO food and feed approval applications

24 Jan 2022

GM Freeze responds to the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland’s plan to recommend that Ministers approve nine different GMOs for use in the UK food chain.

Defra: Labelling for animal welfare

6 Dec 2021

A juvenile pig looking up at the camera

GM Freeze responds to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs call for evidence on labelling for animal welfare. Our evidence focuses on the need to consider genetic modification of animals as a welfare concern.

BEIS: Reforming the framework for better regulation

1 Oct 2021

Graphic illustrating threats to GM safeguards

GM Freeze response to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s consultation: Reforming the framework for better regulation.