Aventis Sees No Liability In Genetic Change Crops

February 17, 2000
Reuters, London

German/French life sciences group Aventis said in a statement on Thursday that it is confident about the safety of genetically modified (GM) crops, citing stringent UK safety assessments, including those involved in farm scale evaluations.

"Aventis do not believe that this technology will cause harm to people, other crops or the environment and therefore this does not give rise to a question of liability," Aventis CropScience UK said.

The statement followed a Reuters inquiry after NFU Mutual, the UK's leading farm insurer, confirmed it does not offer cover for GM crop contamination risks, recommending that farmers taking part in GM trials ensure the company takes full responsibility for the crop and any liability claims.

Earlier this week, Labour MP Alan Simpson presented the Genetically Modified Food and Producer Liability Bill to Parliament. The Bill places strict liability for harm caused to the environment and human health on the companies releasing or selling GM crops or food.