This archive includes some of the more significant news items which have previously appeared on the What's New page. These web-links are not regularly updated now and may well be out of date, so if you find a later link, please let us know. Some items (particularly those marked +) may be described in our Learning Links or Hot Topics pages.
Earlier Archive 2003-5 Earlier Archive 2006-7
11/1/08 + The European Food Safety Authority drafts opinion that milk and meat from cloned animals should be allowed to be sold since "it is very unlikely that any difference exists in terms of food safety ... compared with conventionally bred animals." This is now open to public consultation - closed on 25 February 2008.
11/1/08 The University of Leeds is seeking permission to plant GM potatoes, engineered with a synthetic (non-organic) gene to resist cyst-nematodes (eelworms), on a farm near Tadcaster. The public can submit comments to DEFRA on risks until 3 March 2008. GM Freeze provides a briefing setting out grounds for objection. [136K]
15/1/08 + Scottish Government launches "National Food Discussion" by publishing a discussion paper and opening a public consultation on all aspects of the food chain.
8/2/08 US research finds that a significant pest, the bollworm moth, has evolved resistance to the toxin in GM Bt cotton.
13/2/08 New report shows GM crops have led to greater use of pesticides and do not have increased yields, as claimed.
14/2/08 + The European Commission has decided on "emergency measures" to stop unauthorised Bt63 GM rice from China entering the food supply.
6/3/08 + Two calves of a cloned cow which were to be auctioned in Bristol are now expected to be sold privately.
26/3/08 Food Standards Agency confirms that Chinese rice contaminated with the illegal GM variety Bt63 is unsafe for human consumption, and issues recall order. (see 8/6/07, 14/2/08)
2/4/08 Swedish research shows GM oilseed rape seeds survive in soil for at least 10 years, despite best efforts to remove them. (see also 22/9/05)
2/4/08 + Scientists at Newcastle University claim to have created Britain's first human-animal hybrid embryos, intended for stem cell research. The embryos were formed by substituting the nucleus of a human cell for the nucleus in a cow's ovum (egg). (see also 20/11/07 and 'Human GE')
7/4/08 Norfolk Trading Standards warns caterers that they face six months in jail and fines up to £5,000 if they fail to inform customers when products contain GM ingredients. Spot checks revealed 42 per cent of outlets surveyed were breaking the law. (see also 6/9/07)
10/4/08 Research analysis shows yields from all major GM crops are no greater than from non-GM varieties. (See 13/2/08)
15/4/08 International report by over 400 scientists urges radical changes in food production, and is sceptical about the potential of GM to avert shortages and environmental problems. Full report.
24/4/08 Debenhams chain announces ban on "unhealthy ingredients", including GM food, in its restaurants.
6/5/08 Earth First! protestors shut down UK headquarters of BASF to focus attention on its forthcoming GM potato trial. (See 6/7/07 etc)
10/5/08 Leeds University gets permission to grow GM potatoes in open field test site. (See 11/1/08) Consent document. [129K]
11/5/08 + After learning that the first GM human embryo has been created in the US, Human Genetics Alert calls on the UK Government to halt its plans to legalise this. An international group also calls for a world-wide moratorium.
13/5/08 Report from Canada reveals that the major agribusiness corporations are claiming patents on genes relevant to climate change adaptation.
29/5/08 Swiss Government extends its moratorium on commercial growing of GM plants for another three years, until 2013, to allow completion of essential research.
5/6/08 GM potato trial near Tadcaster is destroyed by anonymous objectors. (See 10/5/08)
6/6/08 + Daily Mail reveals six more calves have been born in the UK from the embryos of a cloned US cow. At present no regulations apply to the consumption of their milk or meat. (See 11/1/07, 21/3/07, 6/3/08.)
19/6/08 Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, announces new measures following analysis of Scottish Food Discussion. (See 15/1/08) Some of these potentially relate to GM and the Scottish Government still maintains a moratorium on growing GM crops.
23/6/08 The government agency Natural England warns Prime Minister Gordon Brown against using GM crops to offset rising food prices.
23/6/08 Environmental coalition warns governments not to fall for the current "biotech industry propaganda" on the rising costs of food and animal feed. The industry is keen to remove the EU's 'zero tolerance' rule on unauthorised GM products. The National Farmers Union too is attempting to influence supermarkets' policies. (See above, 23/6/08)
7/7/08 UK Cabinet Office report on food strategy for the 21st century published, and criticised as "seriously lacking in-depth analysis" on GM crops and their impacts.
16/7/08 Food Standards Agency publishes list of Chinese rice products contaminated with the unauthorised GM variety Bt63. (See 26/3/08)
25/7/08 Austria bans the import of Monsanto's GM maize MON863 on health and safety grounds.
28/7/08 A group of scientists involved in GM testing call for location of test sites to be kept secret.
9/8/08 Scientists at the University of Southampton have asked the Forestry Commission for permission to plant GM trees.
13/8/08 The Prince of Wales expresses concern about industrial farming and genetic engineering. John Vidal has analysed the Prince's grounds for concern. Scottish Environment Minister also backs the Prince (later).
5/9/08 The two Irish governments confirm plans for a GM free Ireland.
7/9/08 The Labour peer, Lord Winston, is to start breeding GM pigs to supply organs for human transplants.
8/9/08 European Commission authorises the import of Bayer's GM soybean A2704-12 for use in food and feed.
9/9/08 A new association of Brazilian producers are to guarantee a supply of GM free soy products for Europe.
12/9/08 Scottish Government orders destruction of oilseed rape plants and seeds, undergoing a quality trial, found to be contaminated with unauthorised GM material. Scottish Ministers subsequently call on the UK Government to end its support for GM crops.
27/9/08 A Bill is passed in California to offer farmers legal protection from lawsuits arising from GM contamination of their land.
6/10/08 The Union of Concerned Scientists denounces the proposed USDA rules that would not protect the food supply from drug contamination by GM 'pharma' crops.
9/10/08 + New survey of European consumers shows a majority against farming cloned animals and their offspring for food. (see 6/6/08)
22/10/08 UN study shows organic farming offers the best chance of tackling poverty and malnutrition in Africa.
26/10/08 Confidential documents obtained by the Independent on Sunday disclose secret government plans to expedite the introduction of GM food and crops and counter public opposition. (see 28/10/07)
16/11/08 Italian government study shows significant disturbances in the immune system of mice fed on GM maize (MON810).
17/11/08 The UK government is said to be preparing plans for secret GM crop trials. This would contravene European law.
4/12/08 Meeting of EU environment ministers calls for significant improvements in assessing GMO impacts. But efforts by the UK government to block new safeguards (against GM contamination of seeds) appear to have fudged the issue. Read the Minutes of meeting [160K].
16/12/08 + A survey carried out by GM Freeze shows the UK food industry is not adequately addressing consumers' concerns over cloned farm animals. (See 9/10/08)
19/12/08 It is revealed that a crop of oilseed rape (canola) harvested on a Somerset farm was contaminated by a GM variety, Monsanto GT73, not authorised for cultivation. The same seed was involved in the Scottish contamination incident (see 12/9/08) but DEFRA has refused to divulge the Somerset location. GM Freeze is still trying to obtain this information (see 10/3/11).
13/1/09 Glufosinate herbicide ('Liberty'[tm]) ban approved by European Parliament. But UK agri-lobby disapproves.
11/2/09 Chief Executive Terry Leahy indicates Tesco is willing to back GM foods. GM products seen in Tesco: cooking oils, chocolate bars.
11/2/09 Industry-sponsored data on GM cultivation worldwide are criticised as "inflated and massaged". ISAAA myths.
17/2/09 Scientists condemn tests of GM 'Golden Rice' on children as breaching Nuremberg ethics code.
17/2/09 European Court of Justice rules that under Directive 2001/18/EC key information on deliberate GMO releases, such as location, must not be withheld from the public. (See 17/11/08)
24/2/09 Welsh Assembly Government minister announces plans for tough 'GM coexistence' regulations in Wales.
2/3/09 Bans by Austria and Hungary on certain types of GM maize (Monsanto's MON810 and Bayer's T25) are upheld by EU environment ministers. The UK minister, Hilary Benn, votes to lift the ban - see FoE analysis. (See also 25/7/08)
25/3/09 + European Parliament approves first stage of a new Regulation on Novel Foods, to include labelling of food from animals fed on GM feed; and calls for a ban on food products from cloned animals. See draft of Regulation.
1/4/09 + Scottish Parliament debate supports conventional plant breeding while setting out extensive arguments against GM crops.
3/4/09 French National Consumer Council (CNC) supports the use of a label "Fed without GMOs" (Nourri sans OGM) for animal products. More references here.
14/4/09 Germany bans cultivation of MON810 GM maize (corn) amid environmental and economic concerns. (See 2/3/09 etc)
15/4/09 Genetic fingerprinting pioneer Prof Sir Alec Jeffreys criticises UK Government for retaining DNA records on thousands of innocent people.
24/4/09 At a European conference of GM free regions, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham re-affirms and explains the Scottish Government's opposition to GM crops.
18/5/09 Irish health officials have destroyed unauthorised Bt63 GM rice imports from China. (See 16/7/08)
12/6/09 Irish Doctors Environmental Association states support for immediate moratorium on GM foods.
22/6/09 + Decision by EU farm ministers to allow meat from cloned animals to enter the "novel food" regulatory process - but this will need the approval of the European Parliament. (See 25/3/09 & 16/12/08.)
24/6/09 New Scottish Environmental Liability Regulations come into force, implementing the principle that "polluter pays" for damage caused. Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham points out that our laws on GM contamination are now significantly stronger than those in England.
26/6/09 Scottish Government publishes "Recipe for Success" a new Food and Drink Policy for Scotland, but GM is not mentioned. See 'Hot Topics'.
30/6/09 Welsh Assembly Government opens public consultation on strict proposals for coexistence of GM and conventional crops.
20/7/09 Report by GM Freeze criticises over-emphasis by UK Government on GM technology for poorer countries and for pledging £140 million of DFID support.
27/7/09 It is revealed that a trial of GM potatoes near Tadcaster, Yorkshire, has been surreptitiously restarted. (See 5/6/08)
28/7/09 Launch of petition opposing approval of GM carnations in Europe.
29/7/09 Scientific analysis reveals "serious mistakes and omissions" in the assessment of MON810 GM maize prepared by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). The ten year licence for the maize is up for renewal. (See 16/11/08, 14/4/09 etc)
6/8/09 Imports to the European Union of US soy rejected due to contamination by prohibited GM corn.
13/8/09 A UK Government report (by DEFRA and FSA), on supply of non-GM animal feed, is strongly criticised for pro-GM bias.
8/9/09 Canadian flax (linseed) exports to Europe found to be contaminated with an illegal GM variety FP967 known as Triffid, barred from sale in 2001.
16/9/09 UK Food Standards Agency sets up an "independent" group to advise them in discussing GM with consumers. (See 23/9/09, 13/8/09 etc)
23/9/09 Following earlier letters of concern, GM Freeze again criticises the Food Standards Agency for failing to alert the UK on the flax contamination, now believed to affect ten EU countries. (See 8/9/09)
5/10/09 Canadian flax contaminated with the unapproved GM variety Triffid has now affected 28 countries worldwide. (See 23/9/09)
10/10/09 In Ireland, new government programme specifies a ban on GM plant cultivation and a voluntary 'GM-free' logo [354K] to endorse products from animals fed GM-free. GM-free Ireland comments. (See also 5/9/08)
15/10/09 France's supreme court rules Monsanto falsely advertised its Roundup(tm) weedkiller as "biodegradable", and imposes a fine of 15,000 euros.
15/10/09 Petition with 180,000 signatures against the introduction of GM rice handed to EU Commissioner for Health in Brussels.
21/10/09 UK Royal Society report [1911K] calls for £2 billion research programme "to help feed the world". Commenting, Genewatch cautions on the use of biotechnology, warning against a "clique of scientists who have failed to deliver".
3/11/09 Three new varieties of GM maize are approved by the European Commission, for import and use in food and feed: Monsanto's MON88017 and MON89034, and Pioneer's 59122xNK603. The decision was made by default, since agriculture ministers failed to reach a 'qualified majority' decision. The French research group CRIIGEN denounces the "scandalous approval" [51K] of the Pioneer maize.
5/11/09 Unauthorised GM flax discovered in bread in UK, but Food Standards Agency still refuses to alert the public. (See 5/10/09)
9/11/09 It is revealed that an application to market high-lysine GM maizes (LY038) in Europe was secretly withdrawn 6 months earlier - after EFSA raised safety concerns. GM Free Cymru provides further insight.
10/11/09 Food Standards Agency estimates its public "GM Dialogue" will cost £750,000. [86K] (See 16/9/09)
10/11/09 Academy of Medical Sciences launches study on the use of non-human embryos and animals containing human material in research, including ethical and safety aspects.
18/11/09 New Zealand poultry producer Inghams is warned that it risked breaching Fair Trading law with its claim that its GM-fed chickens had "No GM content". The "Report on animals exposed to GM ingredients in animal feed" [2508K] by Prof Jack Heinemann was a key factor in the investigation by the Commerce Commission.
25/11/09 Study of US government data shows GM crops were responsible for a substantial overall increase in herbicide use over 13 years, the main cause being herbicide-resistant weeds. (See also 25/7/05)
25/11/09 Food Standards Agency publishes report on project to explore public attitudes to GM. The report's findings justify Soil Association's subsequent call for labelling on "all products which involve GM processes", including products from animals fed on GM feed.
3/12/09 New report shows GM seed prices in America have rocketed relative to non-GM.
18/12/09 Stuttgart Peace Prize awarded to Dr Arpad Pusztai and his wife Dr Susan Bardocz, for their work in informing the public about the dangers of GM.
5/1/10 UK government's food strategy 'Food 2030' published, but 'Guardian' editorial suggests a hidden agenda.
11/1/10 Plans are revealed for more GM open field trials this year: by Leeds University, and NIAB in Cambridgeshire. (See 27/7/09)
19/1/10 + Report from GM Freeze shows how resistance of weeds to herbicides has grown as a result of GM herbicide-tolerant crops, and advises sustainable methods of weed control. (See also 25/11/09)
9/2/10 India introduces indefinite moratorium on GM Bt aubergine (brinjal/eggplant).
11/2/10 The Sainsbury Lab at the John Innes Centre, Norfolk, applies for permission for field trials of GM potatoes, said to resist blight. Guidance for the public on submitting an objection is available.
12/2/10 GM Freeze briefing outlines concerns over 3 year GM potato trials in Yorkshire, proposed by Leeds University. (See 11/1/10)
23/2/10 + Latest 'Who benefits' report by FOE International analyses global GM crop developments to date and debunks many of the claims made by the industry.
1/3/10 A proposed revision of a European regulation on GM food safety is found to be based on a source regarded as "widely disputed" and "oriented to the interests of industry". Several independent scientists had already submitted a detailed critique of the draft regulation.
8/3/10 An Arkansas court awards a rice farmer compensatory and punitive damages of over 1 million dollars, against Bayer CropScience. This is just one of a series of lawsuits against Bayer, whose unauthorised LL601 GM rice contaminated the US export market. (See 11/9/06)
25/3/10 A report by GeneWatch UK shows taxpayers have lost out on billions of pounds, wasted on the 'biotech economy' promise. Research investment decisions were taken by "a small circle of unaccountable advisors".
1/5/10 Veterinary reports on a New Zealand trial reveal GM cows had over-sized ovaries that led to their deaths.
4/5/10 Analysis of official data shows Europe's laws on GM do not harm the animal feed industry.
10/5/10 The European Network of Responsible Scientists, ENSSER, initiates a letter of support for Prof Seralini and colleagues, attacked by "a discreditation campaign" that "threatens their livelihood" and funding. The attacks relate to Seralini's critical analysis of a Monsanto GM maize study. (See 11/12/09)
20/5/10 The Craig Venter Institute (US) announces they have genetically engineered a completely artificial organism - creating a simple bacterium with an entirely synthetic genome.
2/6/10 A second expert resigns from the 'GM Dialogue' steering committee of the Food Standards Agency, in protest against its pro-GM bias. (See 10/11/09)
15/6/10 Opinion poll shows 2 out of 3 respondents want meat and dairy products from animals fed GM-free, with 89 per cent wanting clear labelling. Poll detail reveals Asda's recent policy change is not supported by most of its customers.
7/7/10 European Parliament rejects labelling of meat, dairy products and eggs from animals fed on GM feed - due to 23 Conservative MEPs voting against (contrary to their party's commitment). (See 5/2/07)
13/7/10 European Commission approves controversial changes to the regulation of GM crop cultivation. These would speed up approval of new GM varieties, while appearing to allow individual countries to ban cultivation more easily (in theory). Caroline Lucas MEP comments.
29/7/10 Six new GM maize varieties are approved for food and feed - by the European Commission - after member states failed to achieve a 'qualified majority vote'.
11/8/10 + Food Standards Agency reveals that, for the third time, clone technology meat has gone into the UK food chain unauthorised - from cows with a cloned parent. Earlier report identifies a Scottish dairy farm. FSA reports describe assurances that no milk entered the food chain and two premature deaths out of eight animals. (See 22/6/09)
16/9/10 A group of international scientists present their research on animal embryo malformations attributed to glyphosate - the active ingredient in Roundup(TM) weedkiller that is used with many GM crops.
28/9/10 Avaaz/Greenpeace petition collects one million signatures as required for a 'Citizen's Initiative', asking the European Commission for a moratorium on GM crops and for a new independent body to research and determine regulation.
8/10/10 European Commission announces proposal to allow up to 0.1 percent of unapproved GM content in animal feed - this would scrap the present policy of 'zero tolerance' to GM content not tested in the EU. GM Freeze describes the dangers. (See 23/6/08, 4/5/10)
25/10/10 French supermarket chain Carrefour launches "free from GM feed" label for animal products. (See 3/4/09, 10/10/09, 15/6/10, 7/7/10)
27/10/10 Scientists reveal the discovery of a new route for GM gene escape into the environment - involving horizontal gene transfer to fungi when certain GM plants are injured.
11/11/10 In a leaked document, the legal service of the EU Council of Ministers advises that the EC proposal for national GM bans has an "invalid legal basis" and may be incompatible with existing laws. (See 13/7/10)
7/12/10 + Food Standards Agency agrees to advise Government ministers that "there are no food safety grounds for regulating foods from the descendants of cloned cattle and pigs" and that labelling of such products would be unnecessary. See comment on Advisory Committee's opinion and factsheet on Cloned Animals. (See 11/8/10)
16/1/11 In a letter to the US Secretary of Agriculture a senior scientist seeks assistance for urgent research into what is described as a pathogenic organism, seemingly new to science, that is widespread and somehow associated with 'Roundup Ready'(TM) GM soya and corn. Read Dr Huber's letter. (See 16/9/10)
9/2/11 In a preliminary opinion an Advocate of the European Court of Justice says sales of honey collected near fields of GM maize will require regulatory approval.
17/2/11 + Environment minister states UK Government view there should be no restrictions on the use of offspring of cloned animals.
22/2/11 EU member states vote to allow GM material unauthorised in Europe to contaminate imports of animal feed, ending the policy of 'zero tolerance'. This decision is subject to scrutiny by the European Parliament for 3 months. Greenpeace suggests the decision will lead to a similar change for human food. (See 8/10/10)
8/3/11 MEP Alyn Smith (SNP) has criticised pro-GM MEPs over the "hijacking" of a report on soy imported from South America.
10/3/11 Following an appeal by GM Freeze an Information Tribunal upholds the DEFRA decision to keep secret the location of GM contamination in Somerset in 2008. (See 19/12/08)
15/3/11 Independent watchdog Corporate Europe Observatory calls for an overhaul of the rules on conflicts of interest for the European Food Safety Authority.
16/3/11 Three petitions critical of the GMO approval process of the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority are backed unanimously by the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament. More detail. (See also 15/3/11)
17/3/11 EU ministers once again fail to decide the approval of three new GM crops, one of which is said to be a potential health risk.
29/3/11 Controls on foods from cloned animal offspring are abandoned, after negotiations failed between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The UK farming minister is accused of sabotaging attempts to regulate food from clones and their descendants. But supermarkets pledge not to stock clone-derived meat or milk. (See 'Hot Topics'.)
29/5/11 A field trial of blight-resistant GM potatoes is destroyed by protestors in Belgium. (See 11/2/10)
20/6/11 Rothamsted Research in Harpenden applies to trial GM wheat in 2012-13. GM Freeze urges the public to object.
Return to What's New