Conclusions: 1) All farming systems have an inevitable impact to the environment. The use of genetic modification is one factor among many, and must be assessed in this context; 2) Very real environmental benefits are already being delivered by the use of modern biotechnology in agriculture, and its continued development should play a significant part in sustainable farming systems; 3) cross pollination between some GM and non GM crops can occur at low levels under some circumstances. However, any transfer of transgenic traits from crops currently approved or under trial will have no detrimental effect on the pollinated plants or the environment. Cross pollination is manageable and well controlled; 4) Pollination of weeds by GM crops can also occur in very limited circumstances, and again there will be no environmental consequences for crops currently under consideration; 5) Potential environmental effects are assessed in depth by the statutory authorities before transgenic crops are grown outdoors, even on a trial basis.
