Lib Dems "selling out" on GM issues

Friends of the Earth Cymru has warned that the Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly for Wales are "selling out" on genetically modified (GM) crop issues in Wales [1]. The group has called on the Assembly's Agriculture Committee to "concentrate on the real issues" in its important discussion on GM crops tomorrow.

The paper put before the committee by officials suggests that the Assembly should support the UK Government's planned "public debate" on GM crops. Friends of the Earth Cymru believes that the public debate is a publicity exercise which risks distracting attention from the real issues at stake.

The group has called on the Committee to focus its discussion on:

• Assembly Government plans to weaken the legal definition of "harm" which is used to protect the public from GM releases. [2]
• The forthcoming decision to commercialise the GM maize crop Chardon LL - a decision which must be taken jointly across the UK. Mike German objected personally to the commercialisation of the crop in 2000. Now he will come under increasing pressure to approve it for commercial use. [3]
• Assembly Government plans to remove our right to a public hearing on GM safety issues before GM crops are commercialised. Again, Mike German used this right in 2000; now he plans to take it away from the rest of us. [4]

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

"We are coming up to crunch time for the future growth of GM crops in Wales. Sadly, it seems that the Liberal Democrats in the Assembly are selling out on their anti-GM stance to keep their position in Government. On a whole host of serious issues the Assembly Government is toeing the Whitehall line and risking Wales' GM Free status.

"It is outrageous that the Liberal Democrats in Government should seek to take away from the public some basic rights that they used while in opposition. If the Lib Dems don't shape up on this issue then the Welsh electorate will wonder what is the point of the Lib Dems in Wales if Mike German is nothing more that Blair's GM sheepdog in the Assembly."

A copy of the briefing sent to Assembly Members by Friends of the Earth Cymru is available on request.

Notes

[1] In opposition in the Assembly, Mike German led the Liberal Democrats' strong stance against GM crop releases in Wales. He personally tabled motions condemning the Labour administration's actions on GM issues and personally objected the the "listing" of GM maize Chardon LL.

[2] The UK Government and the Assembly Government propose a weakening of the definition of "harm" as it appears in the Environmental Protection Act. The definition of harm is crucial throughout the regulations given that the granting of licences will be dependent on an environmental risk assessment. It defines the ability of the Assembly to limit damage to the environment and human health.

Draft Reg. 5(1)(c) amends the definition of 'harm' given in s.107(6) of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990. Proposed, is a much narrower definition. In the EPA harm includes 'other interference with the ecological systems of which they form part and, in the case of man, includes offence caused to any of his senses or harm to his property'. The proposed amendment excludes this and 'harm' is narrowly defined as "adverse effects on human health or the environment".

[3] A decision is imminent on the addition of the GM maize Chardon LL to the National Seed list. This is the last hurdle that this GM crop requires before it can be grown commercially in Wales. Once it is added to the list, the Assembly will have few legal means to prevent farmers growing it. Mike German objected to the "provisional" listing of Chardon LL by Christine Gwyther in 2000. The indications are that the Assembly legal advice will be that he has no choice but to give the seed final approval.

[4] The Committee paper reports on a recent WAG consultation relating to the National List Written Representations and Hearings Procedures which establish the rules for public involvement in GM commercialisation. The draft changes remove our right to a public hearing on GM safety issues. This right was used by individuals and groups from Wales, including Mike German, to object to the listing of Chardon LL. It is the only opportunity throughout the entire EU and national GM approvals process for stakeholders, such as farmers, beekeepers and members of the public to participate in a public hearing on GM crop commercialisation. The proposals from WAG for a replacement of this opportunity do not allow for public hearings and will, in fact, add up to little more than a nominal paper consultation. It is therefore vital that this important public right remains intact.

[5] More information on Friends of the Earth Cymru's GM Free Welsh Environment Campaign is available on http://www.foecymru.co.uk/