Bournemouth Borough Council last night voted to go GM-free, joining the growing opposition to the introduction of genetically modified crops and food in the south west of the England. Friends of the Earth welcomed the vote as a further step in the campaign to keep Britain GM-free [1].

Councillors voted by an overwhelming thirty five votes to three to adopt a GM-free policy, which will prevent GM seeds being used on council land and GM food being used in council services [2].

More than 20 authorities around the country have already adopted GM-free policies, following the launch of Friends of the Earth's GM-Free Britain campaign a year ago. Ten of these are in the south west, including Cornwall, Devon, Dorsest, South Gloucestershire, Somerset and Bristol.

And representatives from some south west authorities are today meeting in Taunton at a Friends of the Earth seminar to look at practical steps they can take, including the use of new European legislation [3] to prevent GM crops being grown.

Friends of the Earth's south west regional GM campaigner Keith Hatch said:

"This vote is excellent news for people in Bournemouth. We should not expose people or our countryside to the unknown effects of this technology. This decision by Bournemouth councillors adds to the growing momentum to keep the south west of England GM-free."

ENDS

Notes:

[1] See www.gmfreebritain.com

[2] The resolution passed at the full meeting of council on Tuesday 28th October reads:

MOTION - GM CROPS

Councillor Russell moved, Councillor Stanley-Watts seconded:

"This Council recognises that genetic modification of crop plants is a relatively new branch of science and technology. There is still a scientific debate about the safety of GM crops to both the environment and to human health and the commercial growing of GM crops represents scientific, legal, economic, social and ethical problems that have not yet been properly addressed.

This Council, therefore, declares that the Borough of Bournemouth will, so far as possible, be kept free of GM crops by ensuring that:

no GM crops are grown on land over which it has direct control;

no GM seeds are used in Bournemouth Borough Council's parks and gardens;

insofar as it is practicable, will adopt a GM free policy to all goods and services for which the Council is responsible.

The motion was carried, 35 in favour, 3 against, 4 abstentions and 1 not voting.

[3] The seminar at Somerset County Council, will look at Article 19 of the EU Deliberate Release Directive 2001/18/EC as well as at other ways for councils to keep their areas free of GM crops and food such as GM-free procurement policies, links with local food initiatives and keeping council land GM-free.