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GM-FREE WALES POLICY GETS GREEN LIGHT

Friends of the Earth Cymru is delighted that the Welsh Assembly has backed a cross-party motion calling for Wales to have a GM-free Environment policy. The policy now, subject to legal safeguards, allows the Assembly to reject applications for experimental releases of GM Crops in Wales unless it's completely confident that the release isn't 'capable of causing damage' to the Welsh environment. This is a much higher level of confidence than previously demanded, and gives the Assembly much greater control over what future GM crops are grown in Wales.

Today's vote, which was passed 54 votes to 0 followed independent legal advice, commissioned by Friends of the Earth, that legal powers to enforce the policy exist. The new policy is the first crucial step that the Assembly needed to take on the road to stopping GM crops from entering Wales and will ensure that the Assembly is fully satisfied about safety issues before permitting their release.

Raoul Bhambral, GM campaigner for FOE Cymru said:

"We are absolutely delighted. The Assembly has made a historic decision in the interests of Welsh people and the Welsh countryside. This is the first crucial step towards this country becoming a GM Free zone. Now the Assembly needs to implement that policy, and ensure that the Government and civil servants in London respect its desire for a GM Free Welsh Environment. "

The resolution passed today will give the Assembly control over future experimental release of GM crops. It does not include crops with a marketing consent such as the GM maize in Flintshire. The Assembly Agriculture Secretary has claimed that no action can be taken by the Assembly but this is yet another example of the poor quality of advice given to the Secretary. Friends of the Earth believes that the Assembly can call on the UK Government to invoke Article 16 of the EU GMO Directive [90/220/EEC], which allows the ban of approved products if there is 'a risk' to human health or the environment.

Raoul Bhambral commented:

"There is more than enough scientific evidence to conclude that GM crops pose at the very least 'a risk'. Article 16 has already been used to ban the T25 maize in Austria, so why not Wales? The Assembly needs to make a stand for what it believes in and make full use of its powers. There is no point in asking for more powers from London if it can't even use the ones it already has."