Nicola Sturgeon: GM ban will not hit research

The SNP’s decision to ban Genetically Modified (GM) crops will not affect scientific research in Scotland, according to Nicola Sturgeon.

The Government faced criticism from scientific groups following its decision to ban GM crops, with former chief science advisor to the Scottish Government, Professor Muffy Calder, warning the move was not backed up by evidence.

Calder had warned: “It's fear of the unknown, based on some unscrupulous articles in the very early days about potential health risks which have really not been well founded and there has been no evidence ever since”.

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But Sturgeon defended the decision at First Minister’s Questions.

Asked by Labour MSP Drew Smith what scientific evidence the Scottish Government had for its decision, the FM said: “the Government has always taken a precautionary approach on GM cultivation”, adding that Germany has recently made similar moves.

She went on to say: “The decision does not affect research in Scotland, and I ask Drew Smith to look at it a little more closely. The types of GM science that are undertaken in many of our universities and research institutes are unaffected by the decision, which relates only to the potential cultivation of EU-authorised GM crops in the open environment.

“We have taken that decision because we value the clean, green environment that supports our food and drink sector. That is the Scottish Government’s position.”

Meanwhile Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser questioned when the eight vacancies on the Scottish Science Advisory Council – empty since January – will be filled.

He said: “Given that the First Minister just mentioned Professor Louise Heathwaite, the chief scientific adviser for rural affairs and environment, will she say whether Professor Heathwaite was consulted prior to the announcement on the banning of GM crops?”

Sturgeon responded: “I have outlined the rationale and basis for the Scottish Government’s decision. I will defend the decision, because I think that it is right for a sector that is hugely important to our economy.

“I visited a farm just last week to hear directly about some of the issues that are being faced by our primary food producers. Our food and drink sector is hugely important to our economy and if we want to support it we need to ensure that our clean, green reputation is enhanced.”