Assemby debates GM-free Wales motion

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

1pm, Tuesday 23 May 2000 outside the National Assembly for Wales (main entrance).
Friends of the Earth Cymru will today present the National Assembly for Wales with a 10,500 signature petition calling for a GM-Free Welsh Environment. The petition will be handed to Rhodri Glyn Thomas, Chair of the Assembly's Agriculture Committee by Raoul Bhambral, FOE Cymru's GM Campaigner; Peter Rogers AM, Conservative Agriculture Spokesman and Mike German AM, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the Assembly, and a Plaid Cymru Assembly Member (AM) (to be confirmed).

The National Assembly for Wales will tomorrow (Wednesday) vote on a motion to adopt a GM-free Welsh Environment policy. If passed the Assembly will be able to use powers to prevent experimental releases of genetically modified organisms into the Welsh countryside unless it could be confident that such releases would not harm human health and the environment.

Friends of the Earth obtained a legal opinion in March saying that the Assembly could stop GM crops being grown. Earlier this month the Presiding Officer confirmed that the Assembly had the power to debate the GM-free motion, and that independent legal advice confirmed that, with legal safeguards, GM experiments could be stopped by the Assembly.

Welsh feelings are running high over GM crops. Two weeks ago a GM farm scale trial was planted in Flintshire, North Wales without permission from, or consultation with, the Assembly. The news provoked a storm in Wales. In a statement to angry members of the Assembly, Welsh Agriculture Secretary Christine Gwyther expressed her "unhappiness" with the situation, and said she had been informed by DETR "that none of the farm-scale evaluations would take place in Wales". Despite reports that the Environment Minister was to ask Aventis (the seed company concerned) to "use an alternative site in England", there is no sign that the crops will be removed.

Raoul Bhambral, GM Campaigner for FOE Cymru, said:

"Wednesday could be a historic day for Wales. Welsh people do not want GM crops growing in their country - it is essential that the Assembly does everything in its power to assert its independence on this issue and act in the best interests of the Welsh environment and sustainable agriculture."