The independent Advisory Committee of Releases to the Environment (ACRE) concluded that the trial will have no adverse effect on human health or the environment. Defra has set precautionary conditions to ensure that no GM material will enter the food chain.
In 2011 Defra authorised Rothamsted Research to plant its GM aphid-resistant wheat in spring 2012 and 2013. Extending the trial will enable further data to be obtained on the performance of the GM wheat later in the year, under different weather conditions and against different aphid populations.
Further background on the Rothamsted Research application, the statutory consent and ACRE’s advice can be found at Genetically modified organisms applications and consents.