‘ Toxic ’ pollen from GM corn can travel miles to contaminate the countryside , researchers claim . Currently , European Union regulators assume pollen from the crop , which has been manipulated to include a toxin that kills pests , can travel only 20 to 40 metres . However , research suggests that significant amounts of the pollen , which harms butterflies and moths , can be carried up to 4.45 kilometres – 2.7 miles – on the wind . Watchdogs have launched an investigation into GM corn following a study showing ‘ toxic ’ pollen from the plants can travel miles to contaminate the countryside . Critics say that if this is correct the rules must be redrawn to protect the countryside and stop the pollen contaminating conventional and organic farms and food over vast areas . The European Food Safety Authority is now reviewing the approval process for the corn – known as Bt maize – following the German study . Its investigation is particularly important because the European Commission is in the final throes of approving a type of GM maize that was assessed under a safety regime that did not take account of the new information . The researchers measured the spread of pollen from maize crops over ten years at hundreds of sites in Germany , Belgium and Switzerland . They discovered that assumptions that maize pollen is heavy and falls to the ground over a short distance from the plants were spectacularly wrong . The research found the concentration ranged from 23.3million grains of pollen per square metre close to the fields to 2,857 grains at greater distances . Significant amounts of pollen were found more than 2½ miles away . Previous assumptions on pollen dispersal were based on the premise that the air was still , but the German researchers pointed out that these conditions are ‘ practically non-existent ’ in the real world . They said some studies suggest that the pollen can be lifted high in the air by strong winds and carried for more than 40 miles . The experts , whose research was published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe , said even small amounts of pollen containing the toxin – as little as four grains – will harm or kill sensitive butterflies and moths . The European Food Safety Authority is reviewing the approval process for the corn – known as Bt maize - following a research study by German academics , while one environmental group called for it to be banned altogether . They concluded that measures would be needed to ensure any GM maize crops are more than half a mile away from sensitive areas of countryside which are home to important populations of butterflies and moths . Mute Schimpf , of Friends of the Earth Europe , said : ‘ The only logical and scientific conclusion is to halt the cultivation of all GM maize in Europe. ’ Last month , MPs on the science and technology select committee said the term ‘ GM food ’ should be abandoned because it had become a ‘ lightning rod ’ for fears about designer crops . Anti-GM groups accused MPs of trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the public .
New evidence shows spread of GM pollen cloud is enormous . Shows commercial farming of GM maize would contaminate vast areas . Score: 6