Meacher's GM crops comments draws fire

Friends of the Earth has reacted angrily today to comments made by Environment Minister Michael Meacher suggesting that the government could allow GM crops to be grown commercially in the UK – without the public getting a say on the issue.

Speaking on BBC radio's Farming Today this morning, Mr Meacher said that a ban on GM crops would be "illegal" unless there is scientific proof that they harm people or the environment. Last week the US made a formal complaint to the WTO over the EU's de-facto moratorium on issuing new GM licenses. The government's public consultation on GM crops begins in two weeks time.

Friends of the Earth's GM campaigner Pete Riley said: "The public have made it perfectly clear that they do not want to eat GM food. Allowing GM crops to be commercially grown would threaten our food, farming and environment with GM pollution, and take away people's right to say no to GMOs.

"There is genuine scientific uncertainty surrounding the potential impacts these crops have on people, the environment and the food chain. But this Government is so pro-GM it chooses to ignore them.

"Next month, the Government is launching its public debate on GM crops. But if it is to have any credibility, ministers must guarantee beforehand that if the public say they don't want GM crops, the Government will not give them the commercial go-ahead. Without that guarantee, there seems little point in debating the issue.''

In April 2003, a MORI poll showed that 56% of those polled opposed GM food, compared to 14% who supported it. And in October 2002, an NOP survey revealed that 57% did not want the government to allow GM crops to be commercially grown across the UK.

The government's public debate on GM is due to be launched on June 3 with regional events in Birmingham, Swansea June 5, Taunton June 7, Belfast June 9, Glasgow June 11 and Harrogate on June 13.

Friends of the Earth Europe is organizing a major conference on the subject in Brussels on May 28.

(GMcG)