Scepticism as GM debate ends

18 July 2003

The Government's GM public debate ended on 18 July amidst revelations that it will confirm widespread scepticism on the issue.

Professor Malcolm Grant, chairman of the debate, is reported as saying of the general mood that "people are precautionary" and that "there is no perception of potential benefits on a consumer level."

The GM debate has three distinct strands:

• The public debate (which ended 18 July);

• The Government's recent report on the economics of GM crops, which concluded that the public's refusal to eat GM food means that there is little economic value in the current generation of GM crops, and that continuing public opposition would also affect their long-term future;

• The Government's review of the scientific issues concerning GM, led by Professor David King (the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser), is due to be published 21 July, three days after the public debate ends.

The GM debate, which has generated around 20,000 responses, has been heavily criticised by consumer and environmental organizations for a number of reasons, including poor funding and publicity and a lack of clarity over its objectives. Earlier in July, MPs called on the debate to be extended beyond the 18 July deadline to allow the results of the farm scale evaluations (due in the autumn) and other key reports to be considered. There are also concerns that the Government may ignore the depth of public opinion when it makes its decision - expected later this year - on whether or not to allow GM crops to be commercially grown.

"On 11 July, a Government report concluded that there was little economic benefit in growing GM crops," said Friends of the Earth's GM Campaigner, Clare Oxborrow. "Now it seems that the public debate will provide further proof that the public don't want GM. The Government must protect our food, farming and environment from unwanted GM contamination by refusing to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK."

Local authorities and the Welsh National Assembly have also raised objections to GM as a result of concerns over potential impacts on health, the environment and the livelihoods of farmers and bee-keepers. Wales, Devon, Dorset, Lancashire, Cornwall, Warwickshire and South Gloucestershire have all taken action to go GM-free. This includes taking steps to stop tenant farmers growing GM crops, and banning GM food from local food services such as school meals and residential homes. Some authorities have also pledged to write to the Government and Brussels applying, under new European laws, to be excluded from growing certain GM crops. The actions result from Friends of the Earth's GM-free Britain campaign which was launched last year. See http://www.gmfreebritain.com/

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