Planting the Future - a new report from EASAC

In this recently published report, EASAC explores some of the issues associated with the genetic modification of crops, where the EU has fallen behind in its adoption of the technology, compared with many other regions of the world. Concerns have been expressed that a time-consuming and expensive regulatory framework in the EU, compounded by politicisation of decision-making by Member States and coupled with other policy inconsistencies, has tended to act as an impediment to agricultural innovation. Follow the link to this and other reports by EASAC, IAP's Affiliated Regional Network for Europe.

Media Coverage and the impact of EASAC's Report Planting the Future"

On 14 March, the UK's Council for Science and Technology (the UK's senior science advisory body), published a Letter to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, calling for an improved debate on genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) in Europe.

The letter, signed by the UK's Chief Scientific Adviser, Mark Walport, and CST co-chair, Dame Nancy Rothwell, highlighted the need for increased productivity against the background of rising world population, and proposed that GM crops can be part of the solution through breeding plant characteristics that:

• help farmers of all kinds manage their land, or reduce costs by growing crops that resist insect attack, or are tolerant of specific weed killers, or extreme weather conditions, such as drought; or
• enhance the nutritional value of foods for humans and animals, including maize and soya with increased levels of amino acids or improved oil composition, reducing the need for dietary supplements.

He also referred to the recent EASAC report 'Planting the Future', which notes that, after more than 15 years of cultivation, there is no compelling evidence of any greater risk to humans, animals or the environment form GM crops than that associated with conventional crops.
In addition, the CST letter supports the conclusion of the EASAC report that EU regulatory process needs to be rebalanced to reflect the scientific evidence."Government, industry and the scientific community each have a role to play in explaining the technology, its benefits and how it is regulated.

Others, including retailers, NGOs and the media, all have a duty to ensure that the debate reflects the evidence accurately," conclude Walport and Rothwell, adding that: "The UK should continue to call loudly for science- and evidence-based decision making on this issue."

The EASAC report, 'Planting the Future', which was sent to Prime Minster Cameron along with the letter, was partially supported by IAP, and can be downloaded in full format or as an executive summary HERE.