Press release

Defra approves GM wheat trial

Defra has granted consent  to Rothamsted Research to conduct a research trial on GM wheat in 2012 and 2013. 

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 16 September 2011

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The research is on wheat that has been genetically modified to resist aphids, which are a pest in wheat crops.    

The Rothamsted Research application has been evaluated by the independent expert group the Advisory Committee of Releases to the Environment (ACRE). It is satisfied that the proposed trial will not result in any adverse effect on human health or the environment.  

In line with ACRE’s advice, precautionary conditions have been attached to the statutory consent for the trial. These aim to ensure that no GM material from the trial will enter the food and feed chain.         

Notes

1. Further background on the Rothamsted Research application, the statutory consent and ACRE’s advice can be found at http://bit.ly/nn793T

Published 16 September 2011