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09 Feb 2000
The proposal quite clearly puts the Commission at odds with the European Parliament which has declared a de facto moratorium on the further commercial development of GM crops until stricter rules are put in place.
Friends of the Earth (FOE) is leading the campaign to stop GM seeds being
given commercial licences whilst research into their environmental effects
is incomplete and issues such as cross-pollination lie unresolved. FOE
is also concerned that if GM seeds are put onto the proposed EU Common
Catalogue it will bypass UK citizens' right to demand a public hearing
to object to any seed listing in this country.
Adrian Bebb of Friends of the Earth Food Campaigner said:
“It appears that the Government is happy to go along with the Commission's plan to speed up the commercial growing of GM crops. Ministers should refuse to accept these demands outright. It is quite clear that many of these crops pose a threat to the environment, farmers and beekeepers. Allowing commercial licences before these issues are resolved shows that the biotech industry is still calling the tune.“
Next week a Government committee will consider an application for GM maize to be added to the UK's National Seed List - the first time a GM crop has been put forward for commercial licensing in this country. National Seed Listing is the final regulatory hurdle that a GM seed has to clear before it can be commercially grown in the UK. FOE revealed last week that eight varieties of GM seed could be added to the National Seed List in 2000, and that at least 24 GM varieties are in the pipeline for approval before the completion of the Government's farm scale trials.
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
