ARCANE legal wrangling is delaying what could be a ground-breaking decision: the UK鈥檚 first approval of a genetically modified crop for commercial planting.
A government advisory committee reported last month that there were no environmental grounds for not approving Bayer鈥檚 Chardon LL maize, which is resistant to the weedkiller glufosinate ammonium. The next step is for it to be listed as an approved variety by all four countries of the United Kingdom. But the devolved authorities that govern Wales and Scotland are uneasy about approving it. 鈥淲e are currently consulting with the devolved authorities to find a way forward,鈥� says a spokesman for the UK鈥檚 environment ministry.
The Welsh Assembly, which is openly hostile to GM crops, says it is still considering the advisory committee鈥檚 report. But it only has authority to ban a crop if it threatens the environment or human health. 鈥淚f it鈥檚 just based on the assumption that they don鈥檛 want GM crops, I鈥檓 not sure it would hold water under European Union law,鈥� says the environment ministry spokesman.
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