DAILY MIRROR
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/content_objectid=13474413_method=full_s
iteid=50143_headline=-GM-CROPS-FEAR-OVER-TRIAL-RESULT-name_page.html

GM CROPS FEAR OVER TRIAL RESULT
Oct 3 2003

By Alexandra Williams

THE GM crops row escalated yesterday after reports that a major experiment
will prove they are worse for the environment than normal crops.

The results will be a blow to the Government - believed to want to increase
the range of GM foods sold in shops.

But scientists are now expected to now advise them to be banned in the UK.

A three-year trial of three crops was set up after fears declining farmland
species might be further damaged by GM crops. Conventional crops were grown
in adjacent fields.

The results, published next Friday, are said to show that two of the
strains - GM oil-seed rape and GM sugar beet - damage plant and insect life.

The third, GM maize, allows survival of more weeds and insects but some
scientists still have reservations. In a recent survey 93 per cent of
shoppers wanted GM foods banned.

Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said: "GM crops are unpopular,
unnecessary and pose threats to our food, farming and environment."

Environment minister Elliot Morley said: "The Government will study the
results with great care."