Archived press release

MPs call for extension to GM national debate

25 June 2003

Friends of the Earth today welcomed moves by a cross-party group of MPs to extend the public debate on GM food and crops. The MPs, led by former Environment Minister Michael Meacher, have tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to extend the debate until more research evidence is available [1].

The Government debate has come under criticism from MPs, consumer groups and environmental organisations for a number of reasons including the tight time frame. Launched in early June, the GM Nation debate is scheduled to end on 18^th July. But the Government's own science review has not yet been published and the findings of the Farm Scale Evaluations are not due to be made public until this autumn.

Friends of the Earth GM Campaigner Pete Riley said:

"The Government is clearly trying to rush through this debate as quickly as possible, with as little input from the public as possible. But a debate can only be a real debate once all the facts are in the open. If the public are to be allowed their say, they should have access to the relevant information. The Government must now listen to what consumer and environment groups have been saying for some time and extend this debate to give the public a chance to express an informed view on GM food and crops in the UK."

Notes

[1] EDM 1466 GENETIC MODIFICATION PUBLIC DEBATE has been tabled by Michael Meacher and signed by Joan Ruddock, Andrew George, Simon Thomas, Norman Baker, Gregory Barker, Alan Simpson, David Chaytor, David Drew and Peter Ainsworth

"That this House welcomes the Government's decision to initiate a major public debate on GM food and crops; urges all constituents to join in this debate through the use of the questionnaire on www.gmnation.org.uk; notes the deep public concern that has been widely expressed to date on the health and environmental implications of GM food and crops; further notes that much of the research evidence relevant to this debate will not be available within the timeframe of the consultation period; and therefore calls on the Government to extend the consultation period to enable maximum public participation on a fully informed basis."

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust