Growers Can Exploit GM Loophole (Monsanto Alert)

[sintax]

Growers can exploit GM loophole

Paul Brown, environment correspondent
Monday August 8, 2005
The Guardian

GM crops can be grown in the UK without farmers having to notify the authorities or their neighbours, the Guardian has discovered after testing a loophole which allows enthusiasts to grow their own GM maize.

Supporters of GM crops can legally grow them in Britain by applying to the biotech company Monsanto for a sample pack of GM maize to test on a British farm.

When the Guardian put this to the test, Monsanto offered to send a small quantity free provided the farmer sent the test results and undertook to protect the company's interest by not breaching patents, for example, by selling the seed to a third party.

<snip>

The gap in the regulations which would allow Monsanto maize to be grown in the UK without notifying Defra arises because a number of varieties were approved for cultivation in the EU in 1998, before public concern forced governments to rethink their policies.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,2763,1544733,00.html

[uppityperson]

1. They better get that loophole changed fast.

Monsanto needs to be monitered. GM products need to be controlled.

[ecoalex]

2. Seed stocks can be contaminated

Do they grow their seed stocks there?

Noting the original seed stocks in Mexico are already polluted with gmo genes.

Thx to USA food aid, another way to pollute all seed stocks, then segregation is useless, they won.

[uppityperson]

3. Yes, once it gets made, it gets spread.

Trying to keep it out totally seems an impossible task, but slowing the spread seems the way to go. I do not know where Monsanto grows their seed stock. I think people that get seeds from them are not supposed to save seed stock yr to yr but get new, better, improved, every yr.

[MetaTrope]

4. And then Monsanto gets to sue the cross-pollinated fields!

Bet the Bushes have a lot of stock in this company.

[wli]

5. Monsanto did business with I.G. Farben... for real, scream it