GM- Is it time for a public good programme? 2012

Wednesday 12th September 2012

Visitor Centre, NIAB, Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0LE

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The cost of bringing a GM crop to the market is prohibitive. Only a handful of large multinational companies are able to justify the investment. There is also uncertainty over the timing and detail of the regulatory process, causing even these multinationals to abandon the EU for more receptive markets. Furthermore, objection to GM crops is influenced by perceptions relating to ownership of the technology by large multinational companies. Smaller companies and research institutions may offer an alternative route to market for GM crops but lack the necessary financial muscle, especially within the regulatory framework in the UK/EU.

This workshop will explore ways in which we can seek to address these issues and consider whether benefits of GM technology for UK consumers can be revisited. How can public sector organisations demonstrate the potential public good offered by GM crops in the UK. Should the Government invest in the required development to bring them to the market place? Is there an ideal “public good” GM programme in terms of crops and traits to address arguments about the risks of GM technology and the lack of commercial benefit to the UK market place?

Programme

10.00 Registration and Coffee

10.15 Welcome and introduction to NIAB Innovation Farm - Dr Lydia Smith - Project Leader, NIAB Innovation Farm

10.30 GM - Is it time for a public good programme? including discussion - Dr Tina Barsby - Director, NIAB

11.30 Coffee

11.45 GM Crops and Food - what is happening elsewhere and what do people think about it? - Julian Little – Chair of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council and Industry Group

12.15 Discussion

12.45 Lunch and networking

13.40 GM modified Tomato research & potential routes to market for GM transformed crops - Cathie Martin - John Innes Centre

14.15 Glasshouse and Macleod Complex visit incuding purple tomatoes, aphid resistant wheat, Camelina and Linseed

15.30 The next ten years - Professor Huw Jones - Research Leader, Cereals Transformation Group, Rothamsted Research

15.40 Final discussions and depart

 

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