Experts comment on rogue GM seed contamination of conventional seed lots
The problem of contamination of conventional seeds by genetically modified (GM) strains is addressed in a new report from the Scientific committee on plants which advises the European Commission. The purity of seed produced for commercial use is regulated at the EU and Member States level. These rules include provisions to ensure that seeds sold are true to variety, which means, for example, that wheat seed is not mixed with rapeseed. The Scientific steering committee's advice relates to the Commission's interest in the question of purity requirements in relation to the presence of genetically modified seed. The Commission asked the Committee's opinion of its reasoning on its suggestions for legislation on thresholds for the presence of GM seeds in conventional seed lots, whether to allow GM seeds and closely related species to be sown in the same field, and whether and how to alter current regulations on the minimum planting distances between GM and non-GM crops.