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19/05/2003
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)
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)
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11 July 2003
Report finds GM crops will offer 'limited' economic benefit
A report that sets out the overall costs and uses of commercial GM crops has found that there will be "limited" economic benefit for the UK. The Strategy Unit report, published today, examines crops that are currently available and looked at possible developments over the next 10-15 years.
Report finds GM crops will offer 'limited' economic benefit
A report that sets out the overall costs and uses of commercial GM crops has found that there will be "limited" economic benefit for the UK. The Strategy Unit report, published today, examines crops that are currently available and looked at possible developments over the next 10-15 years.
09 March 2004
Commercial planting of GM maize gets go ahead
The government has said today that it has agreed "in principle" to the commercial cultivation of GM herbicide-tolerant maize. Mrs Beckett said she did not anticipate any commercial cultivation of GM maize "before spring 2005 at the earliest".
Commercial planting of GM maize gets go ahead
The government has said today that it has agreed "in principle" to the commercial cultivation of GM herbicide-tolerant maize. Mrs Beckett said she did not anticipate any commercial cultivation of GM maize "before spring 2005 at the earliest".
02 September 2004
British shoppers still turned off by GM food: survey
A majority of British consumers still do not feel comfortable with genetically modified (GM) food, according to a Which? Magazine survey.
British shoppers still turned off by GM food: survey
A majority of British consumers still do not feel comfortable with genetically modified (GM) food, according to a Which? Magazine survey.
19 February 2004
Opposition outraged over leaked GM crops approval
Opposition parties have strongly criticised the government following the emergence of a leaked cabinet document which shows that the government is close to adopting the use of GM crops for commercial purposes.
Opposition outraged over leaked GM crops approval
Opposition parties have strongly criticised the government following the emergence of a leaked cabinet document which shows that the government is close to adopting the use of GM crops for commercial purposes.
21 July 2003
GM weed-killing crops could decimate bird population
Independent scientific research have voiced fears that genetically-modified (GM) crops could accelerate the decline of some of Britain's most popular songbirds.
GM weed-killing crops could decimate bird population
Independent scientific research have voiced fears that genetically-modified (GM) crops could accelerate the decline of some of Britain's most popular songbirds.
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