Research conducted last year and released in scientific journal PLoS ONE found that a variety of genetically modified wheat outcrossed to other plants at a rate six times higher than conventional varieties.

The researchers behind the paper, from the University of Zurich, Switzerland, conducted their research in a bid to understand whether coexistence between GM and non-GM varieties is possible. Outcrossing from other GM varieties was found to be highly variable.

The researchers concluded that the higher cross-pollination observed in some species was “presumably due to the different transgene insertion events.” Some varieties of GM wheat outcrossed to crops in fields over 2.75 kilometres away.

Following analysis of the research, released in December last year, anti-GM group GM Freeze has claimed the study shows that introducing GM wheat varieties in the UK would present problems for growers committed to producing GM-free crops. However, the Swiss researchers concluded, “Methodologically our study demonstrates that outcrossing rates between transgenic and other lines within crops can be assessed and that gene-flow distances can be efficiently estimated.”

Nevertheless, GM Freeze warned that contamination could occur due to carelessness, poor standards or human error and that the costs of cleaning up any GM contamination, if commercial production were allowed in the UK, would fall mostly on farmers, seed merchants and others in the supply web, because the biotech industry would not accept liability. This has been seen in earlier examples of contamination incidents of long-grain rice in the US and flax in Canada.

Public sentiment in the UK and EU remains staunchly anti-GM and many supermarkets and baking companies have pledged not to buy GM grains for their products. Although scientists in Hertfordshire, involved in a publicly funded trial of aphid-resistant GM wheat, claim their variety will reduce the need for pesticide use, critics have said that the research money would have been better invested in research for sustainable farming techniques, rather than “band-aids on monocultures,” especially given public opinion on the matter.

Commenting on the findings, GM Freeze spokesperson Pete Riley said, “If GM wheat is ever grown on a commercial scale contamination will be inevitable either through outcrossing or mixing of seeds and grains. Even pro-GM sources now admit this, but they say it doesn’t matter.

“Experience from the US and Canada shows that even small experimental plots can cause widespread contamination and disruption of the food chain, with considerable costs to food companies and farmers, including widespread loss of export markets.

“EU consumers have made it clear that they don’t want GM food, and the simple way to ensure markets are protected is to stay well away from GM wheat in the first place. This is why bakers and food businesses like the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union and Chef Raymond Blanc support our call to halt the GM wheat trial in Hertfordshire.”

The wheat studied in the Swiss trials differs from that being grown in Hertfordshire, but debate over the open air trial of aphid-resistant wheat at Rothamsted Research Institute reached fever pitch this week when the researchers behind the trial released an open letter and video appeal to anti-GM activists. In response, protestors from the Take the Flour Back group proposed the two sides meet “on neutral ground with a neutral chairperson, for an open exchange of opinions and concerns.”   

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