Devon says NO to GM28 January 2003
On January 22nd 2003 Devon County Council took the first major steps towards becoming the first genetically modified (GM) free county in England. It follows lobbying by Friends of the Earth and other local grassroots organisations.
The Council unanimously voted to:
- Advise farm tenants of the Council's anti-GM position.
- Ban GM food from local food services such as school meals and residential homes.
However they have not yet voted to formally apply to the Department of the Environment and the European Commission to exclude the growing of particular GM crops in Devon to protect the environment.
Devon is the second largest maize growing county. By voting against GM crop trials it is showing the strength of anti-GM feeling in the South West.
This vote by Devon County Council is seen as extremely important. The South West is a key area as the first commercial crops of GM maize would probably be grown in this area.
Liz Wright,
Real Food Campaign Assistant, Friends of the Earth
The decision comes at a crucial time as this year the Government is reviewing its policy on growing and importing GM food and seeds.
When Friends of the Earth launched GM-Free Britain in October 2002 it was in response to people's concern over widespread contamination of food, crops and the environment.
If the Government decides to go ahead with commercially grown GM crops across the UK cross pollination from these crops would remove the right to choose to live in a GM-free area.
Ideally we want local authorities to use Article 19 of 2001/18/EC (an EU GMO Directive that protects "geographical areas") to declare GM-free areas over land it controls.
Liz Wright,
Real Food Campaign Assistant, Friends of the Earth
