Government GM consultation just a PR offensive - Minister 9 July 2002
Friends of the Earth has renewed its attack on the Government stance on GM crops after a Minister admitted today that a decision to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK had already been taken. The Minister also described the forthcoming public debate on GM crops - reportedly to be led by PM Tony Blair - as a "PR offensive".
Earlier this year Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett, said "the Government considers that there should be a full and informed debate. The Government will later need to take decisions on the possible commercialisation of GM crops". But it appears that the Government has already made up its mind. An unnamed Minister is also reported as saying "don't be in any doubt, the decision is already taken".
"The damning comments from this Government Minister confirm our fears. The Government's public consultation exercise on GM crops is nothing more than a PR sham. Despite the fact that the public have clearly said that they don't want GM food on their plates or GM crops in their fields, the Government seems determined to push the interests of the biotech industry. People should be very wary: the 'official' GM debate is likely to be very one-sided," said Friends of the Earth GM Campaigner Pete Riley.
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