Archived press release

Government Reveals True Colours on GM Go-Ahead

19 February 2004

The Government is to push ahead with the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in Britain despite public opposition and scientific uncertainty, leaked documents seen by Friends of the Earth reveal. An announcement on Government policy is expected imminently, including approval for commercial growing of the first GM crop, a type of fodder maize. The documents [1] also uncover Government plans for a "strategy for promoting the UK biotechnology industry".

Friends of the Earth attacked the conclusions in the leaked Cabinet Office Committee minutes which it says fly in the face of the findings of the Government's own GM reviews [2]. The Committee acknowledged that "the public was unlikely to be receptive" and that "responding to the public's demand for more information was also essential".

The Government's own Public Debate, GM Nation? last year showed the clear public unease and little support for early commercialisation, with just two per cent happy for GM crops to be grown "in any circumstances". However, rather than incorporate public feedback from the debate into Government decision-making, it was suggested that "opposition might eventually be worn down by solid, authoritative scientific argument."

The minutes also show that the Government intends to accept the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and grant approval for the GM fodder maize grown in the Farm Scale Trials. However, before the GM crop could be grown in the UK the seed must be added to the UK National Seed List. Crucially this requires the consent of the National Assemblies in Wales and Scotland. The minutes reveal that the process for adding the GM maize to the National List was endorsed by the Committee.

Friends of the Earth Director Tony Juniper said:

"These leaked documents reveal the Government's true colours on GM. The views of the British public count for nothing when it comes to looking after the interests of Tony Blair's business friends. It does not matter to this Government that we do not have the laws in place to protect farmers and food producers from GM contamination. It does not matter that there is no market for GM foods in the UK. They are ignoring their own findings, and instead intend to wage a propaganda war to persuade the electorate in Britain and in Europe, that GM crops and food are the way forward."

"The Government may be determined to force GM crops on the British public, but they must first persuade the Welsh and Scots to back this policy and support a seed listing for GM maize. And they must also persuade farmers that growing GM crops will be worth their while. There is no benefit to consumers from these crops, and no market demand. People in this country do not want them - and people in developing countries don't want them either. GM crops will not feed the world."

The environmental campaign group is concerned that there is currently no legal framework to protect non-GM and organic farmers from contamination or to establish liability for any damage caused. A Private Members Bill is currently being taken forward by Gregory Barker MP, supported by Friends of the Earth, which would address this legal shortfall [3].

In the leaked minutes Margaret Beckett stated that the GM industry should bear responsibility for ensuring that GM crops do not contaminate non-GM crops above the legal maximum threshold of 0.9%. She added that a code of practice with statutory backing could underpin this. However the Committee dismissed concerns about contamination of organic crops as "there was currently very little production of organic equivalents of the GM crops likely to be grown in the short term".

According to the minutes, the Government is also to develop a coherent strategy to promote the effectiveness of the biotechnology industry in Europe, taken forward by a Whitehall steering group. Backed by Lord Sainsbury, this would involve lobbying MEPs, working more closely with EU partners, and making the public aware of "clearly beneficial aspects of biotechnology."

The Committee also noted that there could be "merit in preparing the ground with key MPs, particularly those with an interest in science or food security in developing countries."

Notes

[1] Cabinet Office Committee Meeting on GM crops 11 February 2004

[2] Last year the Government commissioned reviews on the economic and scientific impacts, as well as a public debate on GM crops and food. See www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk/ , www.gmpublicdebate.org/ and www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page3673.asp (for the Economic Review).

[3] The GM Bill being put forward by Conservative MP Gregory Barker, supported by Friends of the Earth, would introduce separation distances and times between GM crops and other crops and a strict liability code and liability funds to ensure that if organic or conventional crops are contaminated by GMOs, those affected can be reimbursed for their losses. It will be debated in Parliament on 26th March 2004.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust