The unexpected is, as usual, the worst problem for politicians. This month the surprise discoveries that mini-trials of GM seeds have been going on and that some seeds contain not one but two modified genes have caused embarrassment to all concerned, including the Ministers who should have known. Plus, a major player in the biotech game refuses to defend its products; a Welsh vote against adopting national seed regulations; and suggestions by ACRE that GM seeds really could be improved.

Secret trials revealed

Small-scale trials of GM seeds have been announced in a parliamentary answer but not widely publicised. The 'mini-trials' do not come under the same legislation as larger tests and were, therefore, not announced in the same way.

Friends of the Earth have described the trials of GM maize, sugar beet and oilseed rape on tennis court-sized patches of land as "arrogant, secretive and contemptuous". "This news is outrageous and deeply disturbing," says Adrian Bebb for FoE. "These crops threaten organic and conventional crops through cross-pollination. Now farmers don't know where that threat is coming from and if bee farmers don't know where GM crops are being grown, they won't be able to move their hives to prevent their honey being contaminated."

MAFF say the trials are on "very small sites" and are being "very closely observed". They have been under way for more than a year and are being carried out by the National Institute for Agricultural Botany on sites at Shirburn in Oxfordshire, Brockley in Somerset, Bramham-cum-Oglethorpe in North Yorkshire, Histon in Cambridge- shire and Rowton in Shropshire. Precise details of the locations are being kept secret, unlike the farm scale trials for which six-figure grid references have been released.

Second gene embarrassment

The biotech company which refuses to speak up for its product at a public enquiry, Aventis, has admitted that some of the modified seeds in use at two trials contain, not one, but two modified genes. The second, unauthorised, gene is a 'piggy-back' gene which was found in use at two small-scale sites. GM beet plants that should have only been tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate were also found to be resistant to glyphosate.The lack of rigour in what are supposed to be scientifically-controlled experiments is embarrassing GM defendants. They point out that the plants are removed before they flower and there could be no cross-pollination. The sites concerned are to be monitored intensively for the next two years.

English Nature has called for greater care in the production of GM seeds. "Accidental release of transgenes has serious potential for wildlife," says Dr Brian Johnson, English Nature's biotechnology advisor. "If the biotechnology industry can't control the spread of transgenes under experimental conditions, there is little chance of containment if commercial releases take place. Evidence from the US and Canada shows that gene stacking and accidental gene transfer to conventional crops is becoming widespread. These accidental unauthorised releases in Europe show that genetic isolation of some GM crops is urgently needed."

Dr Johnson also accuses the SCIMAC group of inadequate controls. "In our view it is unlikely that the SCIMAC code of practice for growing GM crops will be enough to ensure that transgenes stay where they are put."

New guidance on design of GM seeds issued

A consultative report on how genetically modified crops should be designed, prepared by a sub-group of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, has been published. Researchers from the cutting edge of plant genetics have contributed to recommendations in the report. English Nature, which also represents the Scottish and Welsh nature conservation agencies on GMO issues, has been working as part of the group of scientific experts to develop the guidelines. They are intended to indicate to the biotech industry and academic researchers what the regulatory system might like to see in future to protect wildlife.

"English Nature is concerned about possible effects of GM crops on biodiversity," said Dr Brian Johnson for English Nature. "So far as we know, this is the first time that advisors in any country involved in the regulation of GM crops have looked at how GMOs could be made even safer by changing the way the crops are made. For example, the movement of modified genes from one plant to another could be virtually eliminated. We believe that if the GM industry adopts some of the recommendations in this report it could reduce risks to wildlife".

The report is intended to stimulate debate about how GM crops might be better constructed in the future. It identifies techniques for eliminating the use of genetic markers, especially those that rely on antibiotic resistance. Methods for ensuring genetic isolation on crops are also highlighted, suggesting ways in which potential gene flow from GM crops could be virtually eliminated.

Best Practice

Scotland's first genetically modified crop from a farm scale trial has been harvested. Shirley Harrison, the farmer who conducted the trial on her farm in Daviot, Aberdeenshire, made the disclosure and vowed to continue the controversial research.

With a plot of oilseed rape harvested as part of the first series of trials, Mrs Harrison has now embarked on further trials at New Craig Farm. "Once all these results come out, then I will feel a deep sense of satisfaction that I know what I am doing here at New Craig is correct and right," she said.

Wales votes 'No'

The National Assembly for Wales has asserted its right to reject legislation that it considers defective, on the issue of GM crops. 42 Assembly Members voted against approving the draft Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations 2000 and 10 for, with no abstentions.

Campaigners against GM foods were delighted. Raoul Bhambral, GM Campaigner for FOE Cymru commented: "This is a wonderful day for the Assembly. It has made completely the right decision in rejecting these regulations. All AMs were aware that the regulations would have undermined the restrictive GM policy they adopted in May and have taken steps to preserve the principle behind it."

Irish trials suggest reduced pesticide use

Irish crop trials on GM sugar beet have shown that pesticide usage could be reduced by 40 per cent because of its weed-control benefits, according to the biotechnology company, Monsanto. The trials showed excellent weed control and significant yield increases, said Dr Patrick O'Reilly, Monsanto's general manager in the Republic. The sugar beet root weights increased by 20 per cent compared with the standard beet growing programme.

Would the Tories change the law?

Shadow Agriculture Minister Tim Yeo has implied that a Conservative government might change the law to protect farmers from eco-terrorism. Speaking at a Conservative Party fringe meeting in Bournemouth, after a recent court case involving Greenpeace protesters who were found not guilty of damaging a GM crop trial in Norfolk, he said: "It was a most extraordinary decision and does have very alarming implications. There will have to be a review of the law if it appears this was a correct interpretation which is likely to be repeated. "

"The public have good reason to believe there have been cover-ups, that the separation distances between crop trials and conventional organic crops are inadequate. So those people like ourselves who want to see the crop trial programme completed, so we can understand exactly what the environmental impact is going to be, have now got serious worries and it is going to get harder and harder to have trials anywhere if they carry on the way they are at the moment."

Aventis keeps quiet

The 10-week hearing into the registration of a new seed by Aventis was confused by the company's refusal to give evidence. They argued the seed variety had passed all necessary tests.Jean Saunders, a retired dentist, now a coordinator for environmental group Friends of the Earth, said, "We cannot even question the company here. And besides that, the government does not comprehend our concerns and the legislation is not good enough...I do feel very concerned about unleashing an unknown into the environment."

Other GM opponents, including Penny Simpson from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and a representative for Welsh group Camarthen Gene Concern argued that seed testing was not rigorous and the affects of GM crops were not yet known.

International

A European Union committee has delayed a decision on whether Italy was right to ban four types of genetically modified maize which have approval for use throughout the EU. The civil servants agreed to wait until the EU's executive Commission comes forward with new proposals on how GM products should be marketed before they take their decision. "It was thought it would be better to wait until we have proposed our general strategy on labelling and traceability," Commission spokeswoman Beate Gminder told Reuters.

Aventis has denied any link between its pesticide 'Regent' and a mystery illness which has devastated the bee population in parts of France. Aventis CropScience France, the company's French agricultural unit, said in a statement that Regent did not belong to the category of so-called systemic pesticides which honey makers blame for intoxicating bees, causing scores to die. "Regent TS has none of the characteristics questioned by beekeepers. Regent TS is a non-systemic insecticide. This property means that in no event is it carried via the sap into the upper areas of the plant," the company said.

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