FOOD FOR SKYLARKS

by DR MARK AVERY [Royal Society for the Protection of Birds]
The Independent (London)
January 17, 2003, Friday

Sir

The suggestion that genetically modified crops help skylarks  (report, 15
January) is not strongly supported by the facts.

This study shows that the currently recommended techniques for growing
genetically modified sugar beet actually lead to fewer weeds surviving,
and thus potentially less food for skylarks and other farmland birds. As
farmers would most likely follow such guidelines, the declines in many 
once-common farmland birds could be further exacerbated and the conservation
work of many in the farming community undermined.

Dr MARK AVERY
Director of Conservation
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Sandy
Bedfordshire