The GM Inspectorate

Team role

The team has a regulatory function at its core, which is underpinned by the strong technical focus of the team members who have backgrounds in laboratory- and field-based research, risk modelling, database development and project management. The GM Inspectorate is working towards accreditation under ISO 17020:2000 (General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspections). The team keeps Hampton compliance at the core of all it's regulatory activities and regularly reviews performance against Hampton criteria. The team also undertakes research on a competitive tender basis, and has completed projects for customers such as Defra, the European Commission and the European Food Safety Authority. All research is undertaken in accordance with the Defra/FSA Joint Code of Practice for Research.

• Defra's enforcement authority for the deliberate release of GMOs in England under EC Directive 2001/18/EC
• Delivery of a risk-based audit programme to minimise the risks of unauthorised GM presence in seeds marketed in England
• Advice and support to Defra on issues associated with the deliberate release of GMOs, including surveillance of worldwide GMO release activity
• Research into potential risks to the environment associated with the release of genetically modified organisms for government and non-government customers
• Assessment of risks associated with unanticipated biological releases to the environment
• Licensing the deliberate release of non-native organisms for biological control purposes

Science themes

• Provision of consultancy support to Defra's GM policy and regulation team
• Development of risk assessment and quantification methodology to support regulatory requirements, in particular under EC Directive 2001/18/EC
• Horizon scanning - future GMOs and assessment of risks and preparedness

Key recent projects

• NP/EFSA/GMO/2008/01 - Defining environmental risk assessment for genetically modified fish to be placed on the EU market
• ENV.B.3/ETU/2007/0008 - Analysis of field trials management in Member States and prevention of accidental entry into the marketplace (DG Environment Research project)
• ENV.B.3/ETU/2006/0106R - Adventitious traces of genetically modified seeds in conventional seed lots: current situation in Member States (DG Environment Research project)
• Management of plant health risks associated with processing of plant-based wastes (Defra - Plant Health Division)
• Adventitious GM Presence arising through use of shared farming machinery, transport and storage equipment (Defra)
• Genetically modified fish: A review of the risks to the UK
• PRATIQUE, Enhancements of pest risk analysis techniques (EU Framework Programme 7)

Team members

• Sarah Hugo, Head of GM Inspectorate
• Ged Kerins, Seed Audit Programme Manager
• James Blackburn, Field Inspection Programme Manager
• Justin Dixon, GM Inspector and database and website manager
• The GM Inspectorate can be contacted at

Further information can also be found at the GM Inspectorate website

Useful links

• Fera Plant Varieties team
• Fera Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics team
• Defra GM team