An important part of the study links the decline in weed numbers to bird numbers, predicting that such a decline in seed abundance would seriously reduce the number of skylarks, in particular. Trials on trial Several decades of intensified agriculture in Europe have had a particularly serious effect on birds. Controversial field trials currently underway in the United Kingdom are intended to investigate the impact of herbicide-tolerant crops on biodiversity. The field trials will be very valuable, but will not tell us what will happen to bird populations. The study showed that a key issue is how farmers use GM crops.
Most fields have very low seed densities.
It's the smaller proportion of fields with high seed densities that are particularly important for bird populations. The researchers predict that if the use of GMHT crops is restricted to intensive farms with low seed densities then the effect on bird populations will be minor. But if farmers with very weedy fields adopt the herbicide-hardy crops then the bird declines are likely to be more severe, according to the study. Informed decisions Monsanto, a company in the forefront of GM crop development, warned the study should be viewed with caution because it does not reflect real farming conditions. Monsanto said biotechnology is not the villain.