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04 Aug 1998
MPs have banned genetically engineered crops from restaurants and bars in the House of Commons because they don't meet ethical and environmental criteria. However, despite these concerns food eaten by the public does not have to pass such strict criteria:genetically engineered food, often unlabelled, is common in shops and supermarkets.
The ban was revealed in a written Parliamentary Answer [1]. Dennis Turner MP, Chair of the Catering Committee was asked “what ethical and environmental policies are in place in respect of the purchasing of food by the Refreshment Department?” He replied that the committee “takes into account criteria such as the quality and wholesomeness of the produce available, food safety issues and consumer confidence.” This includes “to avoid,where identifiable, the procurement of foods which contain genetically modified organisms”
Pete Riley, Food and Biotech Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“MP's are voting with their stomachs. Genetically engineered foods are banned from Parliament, yet thet are being forced on the general public, despite the fact that opinion polls show that they don't want them. The Government should listen to the growing clamour and call a moratorium on the development of these controversial crops until it can be proven that they are safe. At the moment the Government of the people appears to be more concerned with the interests of the biotech industry rather than the people who elected them.”
ENDS
[1] Written Answers, Hansard, 20 July 1998. In response to a question by Norman Baker MP (Lib Dem).
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