Seed contamination

Contamination of seeds can quickly affect the entire food chain. Farmers who save seed are particularly al risk. Major contamination has already taken place. Dealing with contamination after it has occurred will be very difficult and expensive.

Biodiversity

Most GM crops are designed for intensive farming. Their resistence to weed killers promotes the heavy use of chemicals which kill off other plant species and the wildlife that depends on them for food.

GM crops toxic to insect pests, like BT maize, could damage wildlife that feeds on the crop i.e. butterflies, moths and bees

Bees

GM is a nightmare for bee keepers and honey producers because of GM pollen contamination.

Bees are primary agents for cross pollination of crops such as oilseed rape, travelling considerable distances and potentially causing crossing of GM and non-GM crops.

Honey contains pollen grains from plants that bees have visited, and can therefore be contaminated by GM pollen.

Honey contaminated with GM pollen will either have to be disposed of safely or sold as a GM product. Either of these options will cause financial harm to beekeepers.

Superweeds

Many gardeners and allotment holders in the UK save seed and do not want super weeds or other GM related cross pollination. GM contamination is self-replicating. It is difficult to clean up. Super weeds, stronger, fitter and resistant to more than one herbicide could develop requiring increased dosage and more dangerous herbicides for control.

Liability

Biotech companies are not required to pay compensation or clear up damage caused by GM crops.