RSPB media release

For immediate release
January 13, 2004

GM crops should now be banned

Government advisors have today confirmed that GM herbicide 
tolerant (HT) crops could harm wildlife, including farmland birds.

The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) 
has warned that GMHT beet and spring-sown oilseed rape will 
reduce seed numbers because weeds will be destroyed. Many bird 
species depend on seeds for their survival.

Dr Mark Avery, director of conservation at the RSPB said: 
“Farmland bird populations have been in freefall for more than 
three decades. The cultivation of GM beet and oilseed rape would 
drastically reduce seed numbers and put familiar birds such as 
the skylark and yellowhammer in even greater peril. This is a 
2-0 result against GM crops – the government should not allow 
GMHT beet or spring oilseed rape to be grown commercially in the UK.

“ACRE has echoed our call for more research into GMHT maize before
conclusions on its environmental effects are drawn. In America, 
GMHT maize is often cultivated using the chemical Atrazine alongside 
other herbicides but Atrazine is soon to be banned in EU states. 
Without further research it would be premature for the Government 
to allow GM maize to be grown here.”

Ends

Contact
Cath Harris, media officer RSPB: 01767 681577, 07739 921464

Notes

The RSPB supported the Farm Scale Evaluations when they began in 
the spring of 1999 because of fears that GM crops could exacerbate 
the decline of farmland wildlife. Results of the fourth FSE, on GM 
winter oilseed rape, will be published next year.

Some of our most familiar birds have declined dramatically from the
countryside over the last three decades because of the intensive 
farming practices encouraged by the Common Agricultural Policy.

Skylark numbers have dropped by 52 per cent, yellowhammers by 
53 per cent, tree sparrows by 95 per cent, corn buntings 88 per 
cent the grey partridge by 86 per cent. (State of the UK’s Bird, 
2002 (RSPB/BTO/WWT/JNCC) available at 
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/State%20of%20UK%20Birds%202002_tcm5-45531.pdf)

Bird populations are one of 15 headline quality of life indicators 
used by the government, which has set a target of reversing bird declines 
by 2020.


The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
The Lodge, Sandy, Beds SG19 2DL
Press office telephone 01767 681577
Website:www.rspb.org.uk

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