Scottish Beekeepers Association Position Statement as at 14 September ----- Original Message ----- The Scottish Beekeepers' Association Position Statement GM free & the 6-mile (10km) Exclusion Zone As a result of the request by the Executive Committee for Local Association views on the GM crop issue and a vote taken by the Executive Committee at the 14th September 2002 Executive Meeting at Perth, the following official Scottish Beekeepers' Association Policy on GM crops was agreed: - The Scottish Beekeepers' Association have determined that in the absence of all available documented scientific evidence that GM Crops are safe to humans and the environment there must be a moratorium on all open air planting or commercialisation of all GM crops. We consider that it is the responsibility of Government to protect both beekeepers and consumers from being adversely affected by exposure to GM contamination which, to do otherwise we consider would contravene our Human Rights. In reaching the above conclusion the following was considered: - 6 Mile Exclusion from a GM Crop The current 6-mile exclusion is believed based on a doubling of the generally accepted fact that bees will forage up to 3 miles from the hive. The actual distance a bee will travel is dependent on a number of factors. Most of the time it may not be that far if sufficient nectar and pollen sources are close at hand. However it should be remembered that honeybees have been noted by Professor Francis Raitneks, Sheffield University, to forage approximately 7.5m from the hive in the UK. A study published in 1933 by John Eckert demonstrated pollen carried back to hives placed 8.5m from the nearest source of sweet clover in Wyoming At a 6-mile radius 100+sq. miles would be excluded round each crop. Using Professor Raitneks figures [15m] we are looking at 700+sq. miles round each GM crop. At 8.5miles [17m] 900 sq. miles Having regard to the flight range of honeybees it would be a logistical nightmare to consider all farm sites within x radius from each apiary in arable countryside. This excludes or ignores possible contamination from late germination of seed, seeds spread from farm contractors' equipment & volunteers in future years. With commercial planting even if beekeepers could access a register of sites it would be impossible to avoid GM crops In agreeing to a specified distance beekeepers might be perceived to have concurred with the necessity for moving their hives. Even if suitable sites could be found this may not be practical and would incur considerable additional expenditure. There may be a loss of pollination and detriment to the local environment if bees are moved. GM Free There are serious doubts about consumer acceptance of GMOs and willingness to tolerate contamination. From feed back from consumers and beekeepers GM free means not derived from or detectable in the product. Health scares associated with GM foods could lead to a further reduction or to the collapse of beekeeping, which is increasingly fragile within the UK. If any levels were agreed the onus might be on beekeeper to test, which is totally unreasonable and unacceptable. We must consider not just this generation of GM crops but also those of the future. Decisions made now may set a precedent Canadian honey sales have dropped around 50% with GM contamination. Levels of contamination are likely to increase while tolerances with greater technical ability to test may fall. It appears that new labelling regulations will require the labelling of all foods containing or derived from GMOs. This would cover honey and honeydew derived from GMOs and not just pollen. References therefore to pollen content and acceptable percentages that might be considered GM free are considered totally irrelevant. 14 September 2002