GM-free Britain campaign launched22 October 2002
The GM-free Britain campaign has been launched by Friends of the Earth. Local authorities across the country will be approached by scores of Friends of the Earth local groups asking them to become GM-free zones. The launch coincides with publication of a new NOP survey showing that 57 per cent of people surveyed do not want the Government to allow GM crops to be commercially grown across the UK.
The GM-free Britain campaign comes at a crucial time in the GM debate. Within the next 18 months the Government is expected to decide whether or not to allow GM crops to be commercially grown across the UK. If it does it would lead to widespread GM contamination of our food, crops, and environment, and would remove people's right to choose food free from GM content.
Friends of the Earth is calling on local authorities to play their part in keeping Britain free of GM crops and promoting sustainable food production. By declaring themselves a GM-free zone local authorities can:
- Ensure that no GM crops are grown on land which they control.
- Adopt a GM-free policy for all goods and services for which the council is responsible. For example, ensuring that school caterers provide GM-free food to schools - a measure many local authorities have already taken.
- Write to the Government asking them to prevent GM crops being grown in the county. Under a new European law, the Government can designate GM crop-free areas if requested to do so by a local authority.
Local Authorities have already demonstrated their opposition to GM food and crops. More than 50 local authorities have backed the Five Year Freeze Campaign - which calls for a freeze on the commercial growing of GM crops. A number of authorities have also insisted that caterers (such as those supplying schools and social services) have a non-GM policy. Around the world, GM-free areas have been declared in parts of Germany, France, Australia and Switzerland.
"This is a crucial time in the GM debate," said Friends of the Earth GM Campaigner Pete Riley. "The Government will soon decide whether to allow GM crops to be grown commercially in the UK. If it decides in favour, it will lead to widespread GM contamination of crops, food and the environment. If that happens, people will no longer be able to say no to GMOs. We're calling on local authorities to take action on this issue by becoming GM-free areas and to take action to stop GM crops in their area."
More information on Friends of the Earth's GM-free Britain campaign can be found online at: http://www.gmfreebritain.com/
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
