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18 Aug 1999
Friends of the Earth has welcomed opposition from new Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy, announced today, to the current farm scale trials of GM crops and his support for a five year freeze on their commercial development. Later today, Tony Juniper, Policy and Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth will accompany Mr Kennedy in a visit to a farm scale trial of GM crops.
Tony Juniper, Policy and Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth, said:
“We are delighted that Charles Kennedy and the Liberal Democrats have decided to oppose the current farm-scale trials because measures to protect the environment and neighbouring farmers are not strict enough. We are also pleased that they are backing calls for a five year freeze on the commercial development of GM crops. This announcement,just a week into his leadership, is very encouraging. We will do all we can to help Mr Kennedy honour his pledge to put the environment at the heart of Liberal Democrat policy.
“Friends of the Earth calls again on the Government to accept that the current farm-scale trials are a farce and that they pose an unacceptable threat to the environment. They should be halted at once.”
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
