FOE Cymru welcomes GM Free Wales in 2002

Friends of the Earth Cymru has expressed its delight that there will be no "Farm Scale Evaluations" of genetically modified (GM) maize in Wales this year.

Today's announcement of trials by the Government of genetically engineered ChardonLL maize listed 35 sites in England but none in Wales. This follows January's announcement of GM beet and oilseed rape trials in England and Scotland.

The group points out that the National Assembly's strong stance against GM Crops, based on a policy written by Friends of the Earth Cymru (1), was instrumental in keeping the crops out of the Welsh countryside (2).

Plantings of the maize had taken place at a farm in Flintshire during 2000 and 2001. Action taken by the Assembly last year to set a legal separation distance between the GM maize and other crops had opened up a debate across Europe (3).

Julian Rosser, Head of Campaigns at Friends of the Earth Cymru commented:

"It is brilliant news that there will be no trials of GM Crops in Wales this year. This is a victory for the National Assembly and Friends of the Earth Cymru, but most of all for the people of Wales who have campaigned so hard for a GM-Free Wales."

"There is still a lot more to be done to resist the onward march of these risky crops to the countryside. We will be talking to the Assembly about more action it can take to protect the Welsh countryside and rural economy."

Notes

1. Passed unanimously by the National Assembly for Wales on 24 May 2000

2. Plantings of GM oilseed rape or beet (announced at the end of January this year) would have needed Assembly approval. Plantings of GM maize could have been stopped by the Assembly using the same powers it used to set a legal separation distance last year.

3. The Environmental Prohibition Order started a debate about whether conventional and organic crops can be grown in the same area as GM crops and remain 'conventional' or 'organic'.