Archived press release

GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONS SECRET GM HEALTH REPOR. Leaked Papers Show "Voluntary Moratorium" A Sham

3 March 1999

The memo shows mounting panic at the heart of Government over policy on GM food and crops. It reveals that the Government lacks answers to vital GM policy questions: on health;possible environmental damage; the legality of a moratorium on GM crops; on labelling of food with GM ingredients; and even on the Government's proclaimed 'voluntary deal' with the GM industry.

Background papers, also leaked to Friends of the Earth and now published for the first time, show that Government pledges to be carrying out full testing of GM crops before commercial licenses are granted are a sham. The Government has said that it will make a decision whether to permit commercial growing crops after one year's trials. However, a paper entitled “Genetically Modified Crops: A Position Paper” states that “we have been advised that 15 to 25 paired comparisons will be necessary to gather sufficient data to be scientifically sound. We had hoped to start with this many in Spring 1999, however this is not possible... Therefore in Spring 1999 there will be only two field-scale plantings for each GM crop.” This shows that the Government cannot collect sufficient evidence for a proper scientific judgment within one year.

The Cabinet Office memo, classified as “Restricted: Policy” is dated 19th February 1999.It discusses

. GM food and health. The memo reveals that at its last meeting the key Cabinet sub-committee on biotechnology (MISC 6) commisioned a paper from the Government's Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser on the health effects of GM foods, which will be completed by April. The memo asks “What if it shows up any doubts? What can we do? We will be pressured to ban them immediately. What if it says that we need evidence of long term effects? This will

look like we are not sure about their safety - we do not monitor consumption of other foods ... Why don't we require a pharmaceutical type analysis of the safety of these foods with proper trials?”

. the so-called “voluntary deal” with industry, announced by the Government last October, which will delay commercial planting at least until the year 2000. The memo asks “How can we be sure that the deal will not unravel? ... The worst scenario seems to be the Government and its advisors (including English Nature)thinking that there is insufficient evidence to proceed with plantings but the industry disagreeing and deciding to proceed to full commercial planting anyway ... What about long term monitoring? Even after five years, the environmental effects may not be known ... If environmental damage is shown to occur, how much can we tolerate as a justifiable cost? Or do we believe that any damage should justify a halt? (The latter is unlikely to be true, but will be difficult in presentational terms.)”

. labelling of GM foods. The memo states that “we still have no enforcement mechanisms. Is there a case for accelarating the implementation of these? When they are implemented, how can we be sure that they will be implemented fully, and that local authorities will have the expertise and resources to do so? (Stories like -'thousands of GM products on the shelves and only one inspector to test them')”

. the Government line that a moratorium on commercial licenses for GM crops would be illegal. The memo asks “how can we be sure that our line that a moratorium would be illegal is accurate? If this proves to be untrue, the pressure could increase even further”. Last week, FOE published a legal opinion from top international lawyer Phillipe Sands setting out the grounds on which a moratorium could be imposed.

Commenting, FOE Executive Director Charles Secrett said:

“This leak shows that the Government lacks answers to the key questions campaigners have been raising on GM food and crops. Mr Cunningham and his officials do not know what to do if GM food is shown to be unsafe. They do not know how to react to evidence of environmental damage. They do not know how to enforce labelling rules. They cannot even back up their claim that a five year moratorium on GM crops would be illegal. Background papers leaked to Friends of the Earth even show that all Government claims to be carrying out scientifically valid trials of GM crops before granting them licenses are a sham.

Tony Blair promised to put the environment at the heart of Government. But what we have instead is a genetically-modified shambles at the centre of policy-making.Surely no Government Minister can now have the nerve to claim to the public that GM policy is safe in their hands.”

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust