Court ruling under scrutiny

Agroup of leading scientists from across the EU has come together to urge the European Commission to protect innovation in agriculture and plant science.

At issue is a recent European court ruling that said new breeding techniques involving genes must be subject to the same rules as those that apply to GM crops – a decision that was hailed as a victory by green activists.

At the core of this debate is mutagenesis, where genetic information changes. This can happen via science or in nature, for example through selective breeding.

The scientists say they want science to deliver “innovative and sustainable” solutions, but warn that those are being held back by outdated regulations.

In comments this week, Michael Gove suggested that after Brexit there would be no UK change to GM rules applied by the European Commission.

The European Ombudsman has agreed to investigate a complaint from an organisation known as Genewatch UK over commission approval for the import of three transgenic crops.

The soya crops involved have been genetically altered to improve their yields of oils. They come from Monsanto and Pioneer and the approval was in 2015. Green groups complained then about the decision, and the review will be into how that complaint was handled. The complainants claim the European Food Safety Authority, which advised the commission, did not have the expertise to assess the risks form transgenic plants.

Sales of antimicrobials for use in farm animals fell by more than a fifth between 2011 and 2016, according to figures from the European Medicines Agency. Despite pressure for progress to protect antibiotics for humans from resistance, the report shows that the response varied between member states. In general terms there is a difference between the northern and southern European countries.

The report reveals that 16 of the 25 countries that provided data showed reductions in usage above 5%, but six increased use by more than 5%. This adds to criticism that the European Commission and others are failing to name and shame those ignoring the problem.

Mr Gove has confirmed there is no commitment on farm support after 2022, echoing comments before the EU referendum from the farm commissioner, Phil Hogan. He said then farmers had a choice between the long term certainty of the CAP or a gamble on the generosity of the UK Treasury.

After Mr Gove’s comment the veracity of his forecast has been confirmed. Mr Gove’s comments followed recent warnings by a Defra committee member, Neil Parish, who, as an MEP, was chairman of the European Parliament’s agriculture. He said that the Agriculture Bill going through parliament made too much use of the world “may rather than shall”, meaning support was not guaranteed.

Farm commissioner Phil Hogan.