Oilseed rape seed contaminated with a low level of unapproved genetically modified seed was discovered at a crop trial site, the Environment Department (Defra) said .
Defra said the GM seed, which was found in Somerset, was a type which was approved for import, food and animal feed use within the European Union, but could not be cultivated in the EU.
The trial site was less than one hectare and 0.05% of the seed planted was a type genetically modified to be herbicide-tolerant, Defra said.
The seed harvested from the trial site, and from an adjacent trial of oilseed rape, has been identified and securely stored, with none transported to other places.
An investigation by the department's GM inspectorate has confirmed that no other oilseed rape crops - which could be contaminated by the GM seed - were being grown in the vicinity when the trial took place.
No genetically modified produce has entered the food chain, Defra said.
The discovery was made after Defra was informed that an experimental seed of a new variety of winter oilseed rape, which was being trialled before it could be sold in the UK, was contaminated with a low level of GM.
A trial involving the contaminated seed had been sown in Scotland, and officials traced seed from the same batch to the trial in Somerset, which will now be destroyed.
© 2008 The Press Association
