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Archived press release

Government to publish GM science review

18 July 2003

The Government's review of the science of GM is expected to be published on Monday 21 July 2003.

The review is one of three strands of the Government's GM debate which will help the Government decide whether or not to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK. A decision is expected later this year. These are:

• A nationwide public consultation on GM issues which ended last Friday (18 July). The report on this, which is due in September, is expected to reveal widespread public scepticism.

• A Cabinet Office report on the economics of GM crops. This was published earlier this month and concluded that the public's refusal to eat GM food means that there is little economic value in the current generation of GM crops, and that continuing public opposition would also affect their long-term future

• The science review led by Professor Sir David King (the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser) working with Professor Howard Dalton (the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), with advice from the Food Standards Agency.

Friends of the Earth's GM campaigner Pete Riley said:

"There are considerable scientific uncertainties about the long term effects that GM food and crops may have on human health and the environment. This is partly because there has not been enough research into the potential impacts. This must be acknowledged in the scientific review."

"Over recent days it has become clear that there is no economic benefit from growing GM crops, mainly because people don't want to eat GM food. The Government should safeguard our environment and help UK farmers meet the considerable demand for GM-free ingredients by refusing to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK. "

For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

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