Archived press release

East Riding Goes GM-Free

1 August 2003

The East Riding of Yorkshire has voted to become a GM-free area, joining local authorities around the country responding to public concerns about the effects of eating and cultivating GM crops.

Friends of the Earth, who are campaigning for a GM-free Britain [1], welcomed the vote, which was passed unopposed. The East Riding of Yorkshire is the latest authority to go GM-free, following Cornwall, Cumbria, Devon, Dorset, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, the Lake District National Park and the Welsh National Assembly. Several district and town councils have also voted to go GM-free.

Campaigners in East Riding raised concerns about the long term impacts of GM food and crops on our health and environment, and on the threat to local organic and non-GM farmers. A government-sponsored review of GM science published in July admitted to a number of uncertainties and gaps in our knowledge. And the Government's review of GM economics concluded there was little short term market for GM food, while its long-term prospects were equally bleak if the public continued to reject GM food.

East Riding voted to act according to its powers to ensure no GM crops are grown on land it controls; to adopt a GM-free policy barring GM ingredients and derivatives from its goods and services; and to approach the Secretary of State for the Environment to request legal protection for the area under EU legislation [2].

Commenting, Friends of the Earth campaigns director Mike Childs said:

"This is great news for people in the East Riding who are rightly concerned about the impact of GM crops and food. Up and down the country local authorities are sending a clear message to the Government that they do not want GM. It is now up to Tony Blair to listen to what the country is saying and ensure Britain remains GM-free."

East Riding organic grower and anti-GM campaigner Dr Gwen Eggington said:

"This is a fantastic result. We are very pleased and relieved that this will free us from the threat of GM crops being grown in the area. It means that organic and non-GM agriculture in this area will have a chance to flourish."

Notes

[1] See www.gmfreebritain.com

[2] The full text of the motion reads as follows, passed on Wednesday 30^th July reads:

1. That this Council notes the increased public concerns about the effects of the cultivation and consumption of Genetically Modified (GM) products

2. Council commits to:

1. Requesting the Secretary of State for Agriculture to provide legal protection for the East Riding as a GM-free area, in line with Article 19 of

2001/18/EC, and

Subject to the Council having the necessary legal powers; commits to:

2. Ensuring that no GM crops are grown on land over which it has control;

3. Adopting a GM-free policy, which bars all GM ingredients, derivatives, and the produce of GM-fed animals from all goods and services for which

   this Council is responsible

4. Acting in an advisory capacity to inform its residents of the issues relating to GM produces.

3. That the Director of Law, Administration, Planning and Property reports back to The Cabinet on this matter.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust