Genetic Modification Inspectorate Animal and Plant Health Agency Email: [email protected] Web: www.gov.uk/apha

Genetic Modification Inspectorate Animal and Plant Health Agency

Annual Report on GMO inspection and enforcement activities in England 01 April 2014 - 31 March 2015

Room 11G03, Sand Hutton, E-mail [email protected] APHA is an executive agency, sponsored York YO41 1LZ, UK www.gov.uk/government/collections/guidance-and-reports-on-gm-inspections by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

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Contents

Executive summary ...... 2 1. The work of the Genetic Modification Inspectorate ...... 4  The role of the GM Inspectorate ...... 4  A new home for the GM Inspectorate...... 5

2. The GM Inspectorate field inspection programme ...... 6  The GMI field inspection programme ...... 6  Consent holder management audits undertaken in 2014-15...... 7  Growing season field inspections undertaken in 2014-15 ...... 9  Post-trial monitoring inspections undertaken in 2014-15...... 11  Consent holder monitoring reports ...... 11  Overall findings of the 2014-15 field inspection programme ...... 12  Other responsibilities relating to the GMI field inspection programme 14

3. The GM Inspectorate seed audit programme ...... 15  Background to audits of non-GM seed for sowing ...... 15  Seed audits carried out during 2014-15 ...... 16

4. Unauthorised GMO releases ...... 19  Potential marketing of GM fish ...... 19

5. GMO-related projects, research and studies ...... 20

6. Audit of the GMI ...... 20

7. Contact information ...... 20

Appendix 1: GM legislation and regulation in the UK/EU ...... 20

GM Inspectorate Page 1

Executive summary

1. The (EU) has strict rules governing the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)1 to the environment, and any person or organisation wishing to carry out such a release must obtain formal consent before doing so. The APHA Genetic Modification Inspectorate (GMI) is responsible for the enforcement of GMO deliberate release2 and marketing legislation in England, and for the inspection of GMO deliberate release sites to ensure that they comply with conditions laid down in each consent. This report covers the inspection and enforcement work, and related activities, carried out by the GMI during the period 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015. 2. Currently there is no commercial cultivation of GM crops in the UK, therefore the focus of the GMI’s statutory inspection and enforcement work has been to ensure that small-scale experimental releases of GMOs are conducted in accordance with the conditions applicable to their respective release consents. The GMI undertakes this work on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) GM Policy and Regulation Team. 3. During the reporting period one small-scale research trial of Camelina (Camelina sativa), genetically modified to produce omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, was carried out in England. Growing season inspections confirmed that the release complied with the conditions laid down in the consent, and no risks to human health or environment were identified. 4. The GMI also carried out post-trial inspections of eight former deliberate release trials (three former GM wheat trials and five former GM trials), all of which were found to be managed in accordance with the respective release consents. The GMI also undertook four audits to assess the procedures consent holders have in place to manage their releases. In all cases consent holders were found to be acting responsibly and managing their releases and/or former trials sites in accordance with prescribed requirements. 5. As well as to carrying out its statutory inspection and enforcement functions in relation to the deliberate release of GMOs, the GMI