NFU Mutual won't insure GM crop trial risks

NLP Wessex 13mar01

"NFU Mutual will not indemnify the Insured in respect of any liability arising from the production, supply of or presence on the premises of any genetically modified crop, where liability may be attributed directly or indirectly to the genetic characteristics of such crop. In particular no indemnity will be provided in respect of liability arising from the spread or the threat of spread of genetically modified organism characteristics into the environment or any change to the environment arising from research into, testing of or production of genetically modified organisms".

NATURAL LAW PARTY WESSEX nlpwessex@bigfoot.com  www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex 

PRESS RELEASE 10th March 2000 - The Gaia Trust

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

British farmers betrayed by the NFU

In light of the statement in the National Farmers Union (NFU) insurance policy document (see below) and their refusal to indemnify farmers against any GM damage or liability - however caused - the NFU itself must immediately stop its encouragement and promotion of GM technology and take immediate and direct steps to protect its members from any such GM risk.

NFU insurance, has, by way of its policy, indicated that there are very real and immediate risks from GM technology. If they believed that this technology was safe and risk free they would be happy to insure against it - for a premium. NFU will not indemnify - for any amount of premium. The only reason for this is that they would expect to lose a lot of money - and as this policy comes into force immediately then they obviously see those problems emerging in the immediate future.

As if our farming industry did not already have enough problems they now have to face a very uncertain future of new and previously unknown problems arising from a technology that is inadequately tested and regulated, totally unnecessary and unwanted by its customers, with no recourse to either the government, the biotech companies, their own trade union or their insurance brokers. These are problems which the farmers have no control over, which are caused by foreign corporations and government mismanagement, and by a handful of farmers who being well paid to host experimental field trials regardless of the damage they cause to their neighbours farms and livelihoods.

Our farming industry is on its knees and the NFU itself has just about delivered the final blow - to its own members. By condoning this technology and then refusing to indemnify against problems arising from it, the NFU has betrayed its members. This is treachery and utter betrayal.

We now call upon the NFU to take immediate and direct action to ensure that all outdoor testing of GM crops is stopped immediately, that any GM crops that are already in the ground are immediately destroyed - and that a moratorium is immediately applied until the safety of these crops is so assured that the NFU insurance will indemnify its members.

Our farmers deserve this much - at least - from a union that is supposed to represent and protect the interests of its members.

Kate O'Connell The Gaia Trust Tel/fax : 01507 490112 Email : kateatgaia@aol.com

NFU MUTUAL Business Combined Policy

Policy

Notice to Policyholder

The attached Schedule and Specification sets out the cover under your Policy which applies from the Renewal Date and includes some changes to the wording to your Policy which are explained below.

It is therefore important to keep this Document with your Policy. If you have any queries about these changes you should contact your Agent to discuss them.

Genetically Modified Crops

Genetic modification technology offers many interesting new possibilities. However, at this time there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the exact nature of the risks arising from the growing of such crops.

This is the reason for the current farm-scale evaluations which will test the whole future of commercial growing and the risks this poses.

For farmers, the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops is under the direction of the bio-technology companies and regulated by the Government. NFU Mutual consider that any liability relating to GM farm-scale crop evaluations should rest with the bio-technology companies rather than the individual farmer. Any farmer thinking of entering into such an arrangement should ensure there is a contractual agreement in force making it clear that all liability resulting from the tests is picked up by the relevent bio-technology company.

Your Public Liability policy, in line with those available throughout the UK insurance market, would not apply in the event of an incident of cross pollination involving GM or indeed any other crops. To make the cover position quite clear the following endorsement attaches to Section 3D - Public and Product Liability (Farming) insurance from your current renewal.

030A Genetically Modified Crops

NFU Mutual will not indemnify the Insured in respect of any liability arising from the production, supply of or presence on the premises of any genetically modified crop, where liability may be attributed directly or indirectly to the genetic characteristics of such crop. In particular no indemnity will be provided in respect of liability arising from the spread or the threat of spread of genetically modified organism characteristics into the environment or any change to the environment arising from research into, testing of or production of genetically modified organisms.

Risk Management Advice

If you are considering undertaking the testing or production of GM crops NFU Mutual's surveyor can provide risk management advice. It is vital that you adopt the best practice introduced by SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops). Advice, without additional cost to you, can also be provided regarding security and avoidance of malicious damage. Please contact your agent if you require advice in this connection.

Action

If you'd like to write to the NFU on this important topic - perhaps using the above info as a guide - here are the contact details:

Email: NFU@nfu.org.uk  Tel: 0207 331 7200 Fax : 0207 331 7313 Address: NFU, 164 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8HL
President: Ben Gill Deputy President: Tim Bennett Vice President: Richard Watson Jones
Details of NFU regional offices also available at: http://www.nfu.org.uk/pubs/regions.asp