Lake District National Park to host GM debate19 February 2003
The Lake District National Park Authority [LDNPA] is to host a major conference on GM crops to consider becoming GM-free. The conference could lead to the Lake District and other national park authorities asking the Government and European Commission to help make National Parks GM-free areas.
The decision to hold a conference was taken following a meeting of the LDNPA's Policy and Overview Committee. The Committee discussed a motion from South Lakeland Friends of the Earth, for the Authority to make use of a new EU Directive that allows the Commission to exempt areas from the growing of any particular GM crops if there are good reasons for doing so. Under Article 19(3)(c) of the EU GMO deliberate release directive 2001/18 "particular ecosystems/ environments and or geographical areas" can be afforded "protection" from GM crops.
The Committee also agreed that it would write to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs asking to be consulted on future decisions on the release of GM crops.
"GM food and crops are deeply unpopular. That is why local authorities across the country are discussing what they can do to protect their food, farms and environment from GM crops. Serious doubts exist about the safety and long-term impacts of GM crops and food. The Government must listen to people's concerns and not allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK," said Friends of the Earth GM Campaigner, Clare Oxborrow.
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