ACRE Meetings

ACRE/07/M2

MINUTES OF THE 114th MEETING OF ACRE IN ROOM 401, NOBEL HOUSE, LONDON, THURSDAY 3RD MAY 2007

These minutes are subject to approval following formal adoption at the next ACRE meeting.

Attendance:

Members:

Professor C Pollock (Chairman)
Dr P Hirsch
Professor K Lindsey
Mr E Cross
Dr J Stoye
Professor J Bale
Professor J Dunwell
Professor A Peters
Dr R Hails
Professor M Rees
Professor Pretty
Mr J Orson

Assessors:

Dr J Davey, SASA
Dr P Logan, HSE
Ms E Cross, WAG
Dr B Gove, Natural England

Defra:

Dr A Gilliland (Secretary)
Dr L Ball
Dr K Morley
Dr S Popple
Mrs S Wort
Ms G Townsend
Mr D Sherlock

Apologies for absence were received from Professor Bailey. 

1. Minutes of the 113th Meeting, February 22nd, 2007 ACRE/07/M1

The minutes were agreed with a few amendments.

2. Matters Arising

2.1 Launch of the final report of the ACRE Wider Issues sub-group: “Managing the Footprint of Agriculture: Towards a Comparative Assessment of Risks and Benefits for Novel Agricultural Systems”

The Science Media Centre hosted a press conference on 3 May, prior to the ACRE meeting, to publicise the launch of the final report of the wider issues sub-group. There was considerable interest from the press, Channel 4 News and Farming Today and a good range of questions, not just on GMOs. There will be an official Defra response. The chairman thanked Professor Pretty and the sub-group for their work and felt this had made a useful contribution to the debate.

2.2 Application to market oilseed rape genetically modified for glyphosate herbicide tolerance, line GT73 - ref C/NL/98/11

The Dutch Competent Authority, instructed by the Commission (decision of 31 August 2005) issued a Part C consent to Monsanto on 21 February 2007 for the marketing (import and processing only) of oilseed rape genetically modified for glyphosate herbicide tolerance, line GT73.

2.3 Application to market oilseed rape genetically modified to introduce a pollination control hybrid system and tolerance to glufosinate ammonium, lines Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 x Rf3 - ref C/BE/96/01

A Commission decision was issued on 26 March 2007, directed to the Belgian Competent Authority for it to issue a Part C consent to Bayer Crop Science for the marketing of oilseed rape genetically modified to introduce a pollination control hybrid system and tolerance to glufosinate ammonium, lines Ms8, Rf3 and Ms8 x Rf3.

2.4 Standing (regulatory) meeting of the GMO section of the Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health for Regulation 1829/2003 standing (regulatory) meeting, 19 April.

There was discussion at this meeting of draft decisions for 2 maize hybrids (NK603 X MON810, ref EFSA/GMO/UK/2004/01 and 1507 X NK603, ref EFSA/GMO/UK/2004/05). The scope for both includes import and processing and therefore there is a requirement for an environmental risk assessment. ACRE has previously assessed these two notifications under Directive 2001/18 and produced generic advice that covers the import for these GM maizes last year. There will be a vote at EU level on these two proposals at a future meeting.

2.5 Change to the ACRE secretariat

The secretary informed members that Joe Pereira, who has served as a member of the ACRE secretariat for 13 years, would be taking voluntary early severance. This was his last ACRE meeting. Members wished him well for the future.

3. Matters agreed by circulation

3.1 Proposed change of release site for GM potato plants modified to confer resistance to potato blight – ref 07/R42/01

As ACRE discussed at the last meeting, a new site was proposed for BASF’s trial of GM potatoes resistant to Phytophthora infestans. Defra treated the new information as a new application 07/R42/01 and invited representations on the application from members of the public on 27 February. The public consultation period closed on 20 April and a total of 36 public representations were received on the application.

The Committee agreed scientific advice on this application to release GM potatoes at a site near Hull. The Committee advised that no new issues relating to human health and the environment had been raised during the public consultation and was content to advise that the release could go ahead under the same conditions of the previously agreed release.

3.2 Variation to the consent issued to Emergent Europe to release genetically modified live attenuated Salmonella enterica (serovar typhi) for use in clinical trials – ref 06/R40/1

A variation to a previously issued Part B consent was issued to Emergent Europe on 13 March to release genetically modified live attenuated Salmonella enterica (serovar typhi) for use in clinical trials. Emergent Europe requested a variation in the consent to allow blood samples to be taken from previously inoculated patients in a hospital phlebotomy department rather than in the clinical study room. ACRE considered the information and issued revised advice. The advice has been published alongside the revised release consent on the Defra website.

3.3 Application under Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed for authorisation of NK603 X MON810 maize for cultivation in the EU - ref EFSA-GMO-NL-2005-26

Preliminary advice was agreed by circulation. Comments on the applicant’s environmental risk assessment and post -market monitoring plan, as detailed in the minutes of the February meeting, were transmitted to EFSA.

3.4 ACRE generic advice on notifications under Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003

The committee agreed general advice for one of two categories of import notifications submitted under Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 by circulation. This was for GM crops that do not grow under UK conditions, such as rice and cotton (and will cover for example LLcotton25). The second category of general advice was discussed under item 6 (P10), and is intended to cover GM crops that can grow under UK conditions, but are unlikely to germinate and flower if seed is spilt during import and processing of seed/grain.

3.5 ACRE Annual Report 2006

This was revised and agreed by the Committee by circulation and is now published on the ACRE website.

4. Notification submitted under Part C of Directive 2001/18/EC to import, distribute and retail carnation variety FLORIGENE MoonaquaTM (line 123.8.12) in the EU – ref. C/NL/06/01 ACRE/07/P8

This is a marketing notification (reference: C/NL/06/01) to import, distribute and retail one line of a GM carnation (123-8-12) onto the EU cut flower market. The scope of the notification does not include cultivation or use as food or as feed. The notification was submitted by Florigene Ltd. under Directive 2001/18/EC. The Dutch are the lead competent authority for this notification; their assessment report formed the basis of ACRE’s considerations.

Carnation line 123-8-12 is modified to contain F3’5’H and DFR proteins, which result in the production of a violet pigment in its flowers. The genes for these proteins were cloned from viola and petunia plants respectively. This GMO also contains a mutated SuRB (ALS) gene, which confers tolerance to sulfonylurea herbicides. The SuRB gene was cloned from Nicotiana tabacum (cultivated tobacco).

ACRE discussed the molecular characterisation of this GMO in depth and concluded that the notifier had submitted good quality, detailed data. ACRE considered that the results of Southern hybridisations and DNA sequence analyses supported the notifier’s conclusions about the number and structure of insertion loci. ACRE was content that the results of bioinformatics analyses and database searches demonstrate that this GM carnation is unlikely to have a greater allergenic or toxic potential as compared to its non-GM counterparts.

ACRE considered that the PCR- based detection method provided in the notification is specific to the transformation event.

ACRE agreed with the notifier’s conclusion that it is very unlikely that cut carnation flowers will produce vegetative structures (without human assistance), set viable seed or release pollen that will generate hybrids with wild carnations, other Dianthus species or other members of the Carophyllaceae family. Consequently, ACRE concluded that environmental exposure and therefore, the risk that 123-8-12 carnations pose to the environment, is negligible. However, ACRE recognised that it is possible for individuals to propagate leaf and/or stem cuttings in glasshouses or in gardens. If this were to happen, ACRE considers that the impact on the environment will be minimal because there is no evidence that gene flow from garden-cultivated carnations into related species would occur or that these plants will become invasive or weedy.

Action: Secretariat to draft advice based on ACRE’s discussion at this meeting and to circulate it to the committee for comment and adoption.

5. Update on notifications for authorisation under the GM Food and Feed Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 ACRE/07/P9

Since the previous update to ACRE (in February 2007), 4 new notifications have been submitted under the GM Food and Feed Regulation; 3 notifications are relevant to ACRE as they concern live GMOs (rather than derived products). As these notifications are for events that ACRE has not considered previously, the secretariat provided ACRE with their Summary Notification Information Formats (SNIFs). EFSA does not make the full notifications available until they have been validated.

The new notifications relevant to ACRE are: EFSA/GMO/NL/2007/37, EFSA/GMO/NL/2007/38 and EFSA/GMO/NL/2007/39. Publicly available information on these notifications is available at:

www.efsa.europa.eu/en/science/gmo/gm_ff_applications.html

In addition, the status of 7 of the existing notifications (which are relevant to ACRE) has changed since the last update. 5 of these notifications have been validated by EFSA. These are: EFSA/GMO/NL/2005/23, EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/25, EFSA/GMO/NL/2006/31, EFSA/GMO/NL/2006/32 and EFSA/GMO/NL/2006/33. EFSA has issued new Opinions on 2 notifications (EFSA/GMO/NL/2005/12 and EFSA/GMO/NL/2005/13).

Where Agrobacterium vectors have been used to generate GM maize events in notifications for import, ACRE requested that the secretariat provide it with detailed molecular data. With respect to notifications to cultivate GMOs, ACRE will be provided with these data as a matter of course.

ACRE considered EFSA’s scientific opinion on notification EFSA/GMO/NL/2005/12 in agenda item 6 at this meeting. Notification EFSA/GMO/NL/2005/23 is to cultivate 59122 maize and this was assessed by ACRE under agenda item 8 at this meeting.

ACRE requested that the secretariat draft advice for notifications to import GM herbicide tolerant oilseed rape events (including notification EFSA/GMO/UK/2005/25) based on previous detailed assessments by the committee. ACRE will consider this draft at a future meeting.

Notifications EFSA/GMO/NL/2006/31 and EFSA/GMO/NL/2006/32 are to import GMOs containing maize event LY038. The Cre/lox system was used to excise a nptII antibiotic resistance marker gene during the development of this event. ACRE has not assessed a GMO in which this technology has been used before and asked the secretariat to provide it with details.

Actions: Secretariat to provide ACRE with detailed molecular data in valid notifications for GM maize events that have been generated using Agrobacterium vectors or that have involved the Cre/lox system to remove transgenes. Secretariat to draft advice on a notification to import T45 oilseed rape based on previous detailed discussions by ACRE. This advice should be formulated such that it has the potential to encompass other notifications to import GM oilseed rape events.

6. ACRE general advice on notifications under EU Regulation 1829/2003 to import live GMOs that have a limited potential to grow and flower outside of agricultural conditions in the UK ACRE/07/P10

1) General advice

Previously, ACRE has discussed issuing advice that could apply to a number of import notifications submitted under Regulation (EC) 1829/2003. ACRE emphasised that it would continue to assess each notification on a case-by- case basis but would consider issuing advice for at least two categories of notifications that include import but not cultivation.

The first is for GM crops that are not cultivated outdoors in the UK e.g. cotton and rice and that will not grow and flower if imported seed is spilled. Since February’s meeting, ACRE has agreed advice for crops in this category. At this meeting, ACRE discussed drafting a second category of advice. This will be directed at GM crops that can grow under UK conditions but which are very unlikely to germinate and flower if seed/grain is spilt outside of agricultural conditions during import and processing.

ACRE discussed the potential for crops such as maize and soybean to grow and flower outside of agricultural conditions in the UK (i.e. if seed/grain was spilt during import). Maize and soybean were discussed because GMOs of this type have been notified for import and use under Regulation (EC) 1829/2003. ACRE has a very good understanding of the characteristics of maize under UK conditions but felt that it needed more information on soybean. ACRE noted that the OECD published a consensus document on soybean in 2000 (pdf).

The aim of this advice is to capture import notifications for GM crops that are very unlikely to germinate and flower in the UK if seed/grain is spilt but for which there is a theoretical possibility of this occurring. In deciding whether this advice is appropriate for a particular notification, ACRE will consider the GM traits in association with the low potential for environmental exposure.

2) EFSA Opinion

EFSA has issued its Opinion on notification EFSA-GMO-NL-2005-12, which was submitted under EU Regulation 1829/2003. The notification is for the placing on the market of insect-resistant GM maize 59122, for food and feed uses, import and processing.

As food and/or feed safety is not within ACRE’s remit, the Committee was asked to restrict its considerations to the environmental risk assessment and environmental monitoring components of this Opinion. EFSA has concluded that it is unlikely that GM maize 59122 will have any adverse effect on the environment in the context of its intended uses. ACRE was asked to address whether it agreed with this statement.

In addition, ACRE was requested to consider whether its advice on this notification could be drafted in general terms such that it would apply to other notifications that pose the same environmental risks as a result of minimal environmental exposure (as discussed above).

ACTION: Secretariat to draft advice for the import of GM 59122 maize in line with ACRE’s discussion about crops that are unlikely to germinate and flower under UK conditions if imported seed/grain is spilt. ACRE to comment on this draft advice and on EFSA’s opinion concerning GM 59122 maize.

7. New Bt toxins in the EU GMO application process: A review of published research into impacts on non-target insects and ecosystem functions ACRE/07/P11

ACRE considered a report written by Tanja Schuler commissioned by Defra to highlight new Bt events in the GMO risk assessment process. The report summarised published research on events containing Bt toxins other than Cry 1Ab which targets lepidopteran pests and is present in maize events with a history of release in Europe with no reported adverse effects on non-target organisms. The study concludes that the methods used to assess non-target effects are not standardised and it is unusual for relevant studies to exist on European non-target species. Although there have been many published studies on the impact of Cry1Ab on non-target insects there are few studies investigating the effect of newer Bt events and for some events, such as 59122 maize, only company studies exist. Previous studies have indicated that the activity of different Cry toxins varies between lepidopteran species. The report therefore challenges the assumption that crops containing toxins targeting the same pest species will have similar effects on non-target organisms. The report notes that although the Bt traits conferred by new maize events do not target pest species present in the UK it is possible that some of these crops may be of interest to UK farmers because many of them are also herbicide tolerant. The report makes a number of recommendations and the committee was asked to consider these recommendations.

ACRE agreed that there should be a review of the chrysomelid and lepidopteran non-target species present in UK maize fields and their surrounding areas in view of the new Bt events in the regulatory system. This recommendation is particularly important for chrysomelid beetles because some of these beetle species are rare (BAP species) and may occur in hedgerows surrounding maize crops. ACRE also agreed that the EU should develop guidelines on approaches and standards for non-target studies.

The report also notes that scientists have recommended that potential impacts of Bt toxins on the persistence of herbicides should be monitored. This follows a single study by Accinelli et al., 2004 who found that introduction of a mixture of Bt toxins from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki into the soil led to a two fold increase of glyphosate and glufosinate in soils. The committee discussed this result and noted that a later study (Accinelli et al., 2006) concluded that the presence of Bt-derived Cry 1Ac toxin would have no appreciable impact on processes controlling the fate of glyphosate in soils. The committee therefore disagreed with this recommendation.

The report recommendation that the persistence of Bt toxins in soil should be monitored as part of post market monitoring plans was also rejected by the committee on the grounds that no link had been shown between persistence of Bt and adverse effects on the soil environment. The Committee noted that it would be better to monitor possible unanticipated changes to soil systems arising from cultivation of GM crops through monitoring the structure of the soil, crop condition and yield.

ACTION: Secretariat to arrange publication of the report on the Defra web site.

8. Application under Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed for authorisation to use 59122 maize in the European Union, including the use for cultivation of varieties – ref. EFSA-GMO-NL-2005-23 ACRE/07/P12

Pioneer Hi-bred has submitted a notification under the EU’s Food and Feed Regulation to import and cultivate 59122 maize. This maize contains Cry 34Ab1, Cry35Ab1 and PAT genes and is resistant to coleopteran insects and tolerant to the herbicide glufosinate ammonium.

The notification is currently at an early stage in the regulatory process. ACRE will consider the application again once it is in complete form and after EFSA has issued its scientific opinion. ACRE was asked to identify any concerns that could be highlighted to the competent authority leading on the evaluation of the environmental risk assessment (ERA) under Directive 2001/18/EC and to EFSA prior to the publication of its opinion.

This is the first time that the committee has assessed 59122 maize. EFSA has already has given a positive opinion on an application for import and processing of this maize event under the Food and Feed Regulations. ACRE was satisfied with the information provided on the molecular characterisation of this maize.

The Committee noted that the target species for the transformation (Diabrotica spp.) do not cause economic damage to maize crops in the UK. However the presence of a small population of Diabrotica virgifera around Heathrow airport indicates that the insect is probably capable of survival under UK conditions. The committee also noted that the herbicide tolerance trait associated with this maize event may be attractive to UK farmers.

ACRE was asked to consider the environmental risk assessment provided for this application. The Committee agreed with the risk assessment provided with respect to gene transfer and persistence and invasiveness of the maize.

The interaction of the target species with 59122 maize was considered by the committee. The notifier states that Cry34Ab1 protein has a toxic effect on larvae of the target species whereas Cry35Ab1 protein does not have a toxic effect on the target pest. The mechanism of the synergistic effect is not explained by the notifier and the committee does not accept the argument that it works in the same way as other Cry toxins. The Committee requires further information on the mechanism of toxic action of these proteins on the host species and any possible interactions with other Cry toxins that are already present in other GM maize varieties. The insect resistance management plan provided had been well researched but was to be applied only to farmers growing over 5 hectares of maize. The committee expressed concern that in the UK maize is often grown in areas smaller than 5 hectares and this may result in a large quantity of this GM maize being grown without non-GM refugia.

Laboratory studies relating to the impact of this maize event on non-target organisms were reviewed by the Committee. The Committee was content that the studies provided by the applicant were conducted appropriately but asked the secretariat to provide full details of a study on earthworms. The committee noted that no studies had been conducted on chrysomelid beetles that are likely to be present in crop margins and hedgerows surrounding the crops. The method used by the applicant in the single year field study investigating effects on non-target organisms was not appropriate. ACRE concluded that impacts on non-target organisms associated with the cultivation of this crop had not been adequately assessed and therefore this impact should be assessed through further field investigations either as part of the application or through case specific monitoring.

No information has been included by the notifier with respect to the use and impacts of the management techniques to be used on 59122 maize. ACRE considers that the notifier should provide an environmental risk assessment with respect to the impact of the herbicide glufosinate ammonium.

The post-market monitoring plan provided for this application was discussed briefly and the committee believes that it is inadequate in its current form.  Further information is required on the environmental risk assessment of this product and changes to the ERA are likely to result in an altered post market monitoring plan. The committee will therefore wait until a complete application has been received before assessing the post market monitoring plan in detail.

ACTION: Secretariat to draft and circulate preliminary advice for agreement.

9. Annual reports on general surveillance for NK603, MON863 and 1507 maize ACRE/07/P13

In accordance with Commission Decisions to issue consents under Directive 2001/18/EC and EC Regulation 1829/2003, consent holders are required to submit annual environmental monitoring reports. At this meeting ACRE considered reports for three maize events: NK603, MON863 and 1507. These GM products have been approved for import, processing and use as animal feed in the EU but not for cultivation. All of these GMOs have been approved for food use in the EU. Case-specific monitoring is not required in association with any of these releases and as such, the reports describe general surveillance only. Consent holders are responsible for establishing general surveillance schemes to identify the occurrence of unanticipated adverse effects associated with a GMO or its use.

Each of these reports comprises three parts. The first concerns the import of maize into the EU. The second describes the monitoring networks that consent holders are required to establish and their use in monitoring for any unanticipated adverse effects. The third provides an update of relevant scientific literature published since consent was issued.

ACRE discussed the type of information that consent holders have access to with respect to the supply chain and the time it takes to obtain these data.

The secretariat explained that, as a result of traceability and labelling legislation (i.e. Regulation1830/2003) those in the supply chain are aware that they are handling/ using a particular GMO. Environmental monitoring plans associated with notifications submitted under Directive 2001/18/EC and EU Regulation 1829/2003 require consent holders to inform stakeholders that a particular GM product is present on the market place along with details about the GMO. This should include information about reporting any adverse effects. To this end, these monitoring reports describe the agreements that the consent holders have established with industry associations. ACRE discussed whether the reports from industry associations could provide more detailed information.

ACRE discussed the precedence that these monitoring reports set. As general surveillance is concerned with identifying unanticipated adverse effects associated with a GMO or its use, it is reasonable to expect that monitoring of this type will be similar for different maize events. It was evident that Monsanto and Pioneer had worked together with their industry association, Europabio, to produce reports that have the same structure and content. ACRE considered that the environmental risks associated with importing GM maize into the UK are minimal due to limited environmental exposure (i.e. spilled seed/grain is unlikely to grow into plants that will flower). However, this will not be the case for all GMOs, particularly those that are cultivated. As such, ACRE considered that general surveillance should be proportionate to environmental exposure.

There have been no reports of potential adverse effects associated with the import of GM maize events NK603, MON863 and 1507 and the literature review did not identify any new research that alters the risk assessment.

10. EFSA statement on NPTII in GM plants ACRE/07/P14

In its Opinion on the use of antibiotic resistance genes as marker genes in GM plants (pdf), published in April 2004, EFSA concluded that it was safe to use the nptII gene in GM plants released for experimental and marketing purposes. It based this decision on the therapeutic importance of antibiotics that are substrates for NPTII (e.g. kanamycin and neomycin) and on the occurrence of nptII resistance genes already present in the environment.

Since then, the WHO produced a document stating that aminoglycosides are important antibacterials. Consequently, the EU Commission asked the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) to consider the current and future therapeutic use of antibiotics that are substrates for NPTII. In particular, this request was made with respect to a notification submitted under Directive 2001/18/EC, which is to cultivate a GM potato EH92-527-1. This GMO contains a nptII gene.

The EMEA report (pdf) concludes that ‘neomycin, and kanamycin are of importance for veterinary and
human use and that their current and potential future use cannot be classified as of no or only minor therapeutic relevance’.

EFSA has made a statement (pdf) in the light of the EMEAs’s comments.

ACRE discussed the EMEA and EFSA documents at the meeting and considered that no new information had been provided. ACRE is in full agreement with EFSA’s conclusion that the therapeutic effect of antibiotics that are substrates for NPTII will not be compromised by the presence of the nptII gene in GM plants. ACRE agrees with EFSA that (a) the likelihood of transfer of a functional gene from plant material to bacteria is extremely low; (b) bacteria with resistance to these antibiotics are widespread in the environment; and (c) acquisition of an intact gene is only one of the possible mechanisms for bacteria to develop resistance.

The secretariat informed ACRE that it would be consulting the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF) on this issue in relation to the safety of MON863 maize. This GMO was approved for import and use as animal feed (but not for cultivation) and contains the nptII gene.

Action: secretariat to consult the ACAF GM sub-group on the safety of MON863 as feed as it also contains a nptII gene in the light of these recent reports from the EMEA and EFSA.

11. Gene repair technology ACRE/07/P15

ACRE was asked to discuss the scientific basis of a technology referred to as Targeted Gene Repair (TGR) and to identify other techniques that may be captured by GMO legislation.

TGR involves introducing short sections of nucleic acid (DNA, RNA or a mixture of both) into the cells of a host organism to act as a template for DNA repair. The aim is not to integrate these fragments into the host genome, but to use them to trigger the cell’s repair mechanism(s) to make specific changes to its DNA. This technique has been used to develop plants that have tolerance to certain herbicides. This was achieved through introducing a single base change in a plant gene.

ACRE was divided on whether TGR constitutes a GM technology based on the definition of a GMO under Directive 2001/18/EC. Consequently, ACRE concluded that this current definition should be updated in the light of emerging techniques.

ACRE noted that it would not be possible to distinguish between a plant with a novel characteristic developed through TGR and one generated through mutagenesis, which did not involve the use of recombinant nucleic acid molecules. This is significant because the latter is exempt from GMO legislation in accordance with Annex IB of Directive 2001/18/EC. ACRE explained that this would be the case for novel plant phenotypes generated using genetic modifications that result in increased mutation rates. This is because, once the target gene has been mutagenised, the transgene can be removed by out-crossing. Also, it is not always possible to determine when recombinant DNA technology has been used to delete genetic material from micro-organisms (as opposed to methods that do not involve GM techniques to induce mutations).

12. Oral reports

12.1 Weed monitoring working group- progress report

The Secretariat arranged for a group of experts, including some members of ACRE, to discuss this issue after the main 22 February meeting. Professor Rees reported on progress. The group had discussed designs for a monitoring programme for arable weeds. Two approaches had been considered: monitoring seed banks and monitoring weeds growing in fields. The former would provide an understanding of system dynamics but would be prohibitively labour-intensive. Monitoring vegetative parts would involve a structured sampling approach that would enable adverse effects associated with the adoption of a novel crop or a change in agricultural practice to be detected at an early stage. The chairman thanked the group and commented that their work would be useful if GM crops are cultivated.

12.2 Presentation to a meeting in Italy organised by the GMO panel of EFSA

The chairman and two other ACRE Members will be attending a meeting in Italy organised by the GMO panel of EFSA and will be giving a presentation on “Environmental Risk-Benefit Analysis”.

12.3 Meeting organised by the Slovenian deliberate release competent authority

Professor Dunwell and the ACRE secretary will be attending a meeting organised by the Slovenian deliberate release competent authority on behalf of all EU GM biosafety committees. Professor Dunwell will be giving a presentation on “Biocontainment of transgenic crops with special reference to GM trees and biofuels”.

13. Items for information

13.1 Wilson A, Latham J, Steinbrecher R (2006) Transformation-induced mutations in transgenic plants: analysis and biosafety implications. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews 23: 209-237
ACRE/07/INF3

Members noted this paper and the ACNFP response to it. Two ACRE members had already considered it and commented on it.

13.2 Defra-funded research project: Factors affecting cross-pollination in oilseed rape growing under UK conditions RG0125 ACRE/07/INF4

Members noted this draft report. The report will be finalised and published on the Defra website in due course.

13.3 Transfer of responsibility for licensing the release of non-native biological control agents from the GM Team to PHD ACRE/07/INF5

The secretariat reported that following organisational changes the GM team had passed responsibility for non-native biological control agents to plant health colleagues. This would not affect ACRE who would continue to be consulted as before. Professor Bale reported that he has invited plant health officials to attend a meeting in Frankfurt in July on the EU project looking at biocontrol agent regulation.

13.4 Mitigation of indirect environmental effects of GM crops. Pigeon et al. (2007) ACRE/07/INF6

Members noted this paper published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society (Proc. R. Soc. B doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0401)

14. Any other business

None

15. Date and time of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Thursday 12 July at 10.00am in Nobel House. It had been agreed that Professor Pretty would now host the December meeting at the University of Essex, instead of the September one.

ACRE Secretariat
May 2007