The Scottish Government

10 September 2001: Publication of the Agriculture & Environment Biotechnology Commission's Report on GM Farm Scale Evaluations

The AEBC published its first full report Crops on Trial on Monday 10 September. The report uses the experience of farm scale evaluations as a case study of strategic decision making in biotechnology. It also makes recommendations to both the Scottish and UK administrations on future approaches to policy and research in the area of GM technologies.

The key conclusions of the report include a recognition of the strategic importance of the farm scale evaluations and a qualified endorsement of the programme as 'reflecting a more precautionary approach towards licensing the commercial use of new technologies'. The findings of the Commission are both broad and detailed, reflecting the many different perspectives of its members and the diversity of views on GM crop technology in society.

Scottish Executive Minister for the Environment and Rural Development, Ross Finnie, welcomed the Commission's report and, in particular, its cautious support for completion of the current farm scale evaluation programme. The detailed recommendations of the Commission are currently being considered in consultation with the other regulatory authorities and a full response will be prepared and published later in the year. A link to the report itself can be found below.