MPs join Friends of the Earth in suing the Government over GM Crops31 March 1999
MPs from all three major parties today joined Friends of the Earth in suing the Government over an attempt to speed up the commercial growing of genetically modified (GM) food.
This unprecedented legal move challenges a key decision made last month by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). MAFF decided to speed up the approval process for GM crops by bringing them under a 'non-statutory' seed approval scheme (i.e. one that did not go to Parliament for approval). This cuts about two years off the time needed before GM crops can be grown for human consumption.
But FOE has been advised that the non-statutory seed approval scheme is unlawful. FOE and the three MPs -- Norman Baker (Lib Dem, Lewes), John Randall (Con, Uxbridge) and Alan Simpson (Lab, Nottingham South) -- have therefore sought a judicial review. Together we are arguing that MAFF's decision to create the non-statutory scheme has no legal force and could only properly have been made through Parliament.
The case is crucial to the commercial future of GM crops in Britain, and will raise important issues about power-clashes between Parliament and Government Departments. Legal papers to begin the case were presented to the High Court today. See our detailed legal arguments here.
Commenting on the case, FOE Legal Adviser Peter Roderick said:
"For MPs of every major Party to be involved in a judicial review of a key Government decision is unprecedented and heartening. The Government have behaved outrageously by helping the biotech industry speed up GM food-growing, behind Parliament's back and with no public support. MAFF has created a scheme with no legal basis to shave two years off the time it will take to grow GM food in Britain. Meanwhile the Government's spin-doctors have been claiming that they are listening to public opinion, and slowing the whole process down. The Government hoped to use the obscurity of seed law to sneak this decision past the public without anyone noticing. But this court case - and the vital decision of the MPs to back it - shows that they have been caught in the act."
Get these updates first
If you would like these news updates to be emailed to you as soon as they come out, then join our real food mailing list.
Register Here
News
