Lib Dems urged not to sell out on GM

Friends of the Earth (FOE) Cymru has urged the Welsh Liberal Democrats not to weaken their tough stance against genetically modified (GM) crops in Wales. The group has written to Party Leader Mike German requesting reassurances that the party's opposition to the spread of GM crops will not be watered down if the Lib Dems join Labour in a coalition government in the National Assembly for Wales [1].

The group fears that a coalition Government could mean the Lib Dems follow the Labour line. The first test of this could come in Tuesday's Assembly vote on legislation considered defective by FOE Cymru. FOE's legal advice is that, if passed by the Assembly, the draft Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations 2000, would weaken the Assembly's powers to restrict the release of GM crops in Wales. These concerns have been shared by the Liberal Democrats, who have already threatened to vote against them.

The Liberal Democrat party in Wales has been instrumental in the campaign for a GM-Free Welsh Environment, putting forward cross-party motions on the subject, including the restrictive GM motion unanimously adopted by the Assembly in May.

FOE Cymru is concerned that the Welsh Liberal Democrats could find themselves in a similar situation to their colleagues in Scotland who have toed the Labour line in support of GMOs..

Raoul Bhambral, FOE Cymru's GM campaigner commented:
"As a non party political pressure group the political make-up of the Assembly's administration does not concern us. However, we would be greatly troubled if, by entering a coalition government, the Lib Dems were persuaded to weaken their tough line against the planting of GM crops in Wales.

"So far, the Liberal Democrats have an excellent record in opposing the release of GM crops to the Welsh Environment, whereas the Welsh Government's record has been one of complacency, irresponsibility and Whitehall poodle-ism.

"If there is to be a coalition government in Wales then it must not sink to lowest common denominator policies designed not to upset Blair and Big Business."

Notes

[1] Letter from Julian Rosser, FOE Cymru's Acting Head of Campaigns & Development, to Mike German follows.

5 October 2000

Dear Mike

GM-Free Welsh Environment: Liberal Democrat policy

We have followed today's news about a possible coalition government in the National Assembly with great interest. As you will be aware, Friends of the Earth is a non party political pressure group which does not support or oppose the governmental ambitions of any party. However, we have a clear interest in the policies pursued by all political parties.

We have, for over a year now, been greatly impressed by the work that has been done by yourself, and other members of the Liberal Democrat group in the Assembly, to curb the release of genetically modified organisms in the Welsh countryside. Your policies in this regard have been in contrast to those followed by your colleagues in the Scottish Parliament.

It is of great concern to us that, in forming a coalition government, the Liberal Democrats may be persuaded to ease policy on the release of GM crops. This is particularly pertinent in view of the plenary vote next Tuesday (10 October) on the draft Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations 2000. Carwyn Jones has made it clear to us that he will recommend the Assembly's acceptance of these draft regulations which we believe would weaken the Assembly's powers to control the release of GM crops, and leave the Assembly open to judicial review

I urge the Liberal Democrats not to weaken in your resolve to fight the release of GM crops in the Welsh countryside and seek your urgent assurances that your strong line on this matter will continue.

Best wishes.

Yours sincerely

Julian Rosser
Acting Head of Campaigns & Development