Dorset demands caution over GM crops24 April 2003
On 24 April, Dorset became the latest council in the south-west to voice deep concern over GM crops and food, joining Cornwall and Devon in calling on the South West Regional Assembly to take a position on GM. Friends of the Earth, which launched its GM-free Britain campaign last year, welcomed the move, but said it was disappointed the council had not taken a stronger stance.
GM-free Dorset campaigners, including local farmers and beekeepers, demonstrated outside the meeting, urging councillors to go further and bid for GM-free status in the county. The resolution passed at the full council session urges the Government not to go ahead with commercial growing of GM crops in the UK until damage to human health, the environment and farmers' livelihoods is ruled out. It also calls for a south-west regional position on GM; says the council will ensure that GM foods are not supplied in council services such as school meals and says the council will investigate establishing a local food procurement policy.
The vote was close with nearly half of councillors (16 to 21) wanting to go further and declare the county GM-free and use a new EU law to stop GM crops being grown in the county.
Pressure for a GM-free South West is growing with South Gloucestershire, Cornwall, South Hams District Council and Norton Radstock Town Council voting to go GM-free. Devon County Council has stated its opposition to GM trials. The South West Regional Assembly Environment Group is to discuss its position on GM crops in June.
"Farmers, beekeepers and concerned members of the public from all over the county have travelled to Dorchester today to urge Dorset council to go GM-free," said Friends of the Earth GM Co-ordinator in the South West, Keith Hatch. "Although the council hasn't gone as far as it could to stop GM crops being grown in the county, it has made some really positive steps in the right direction, joining Cornwall and Devon's calls for a south-west position on GM. The public has made it clear they do not want GM crops in Dorset, or anywhere else in the region. The Regional Assembly must now act to protect the area as a whole."
The Government is expected to decide later this year whether to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK. Commercialisation risks widespread GM contamination of food, crops and the environment.
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