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South West to Vote on GM Position
23 February 2005
The South West could become the first region in the country to take an official position on GM crops at a key vote this Friday (25 February). The vote will take place at a full meeting of the South West Regional Assembly (SWRA). Concern over GM crops is particularly high in the region, highlighted by the scores of people traveling from the south west today (Wednesday), to join an anti-GM rally and mass lobby of Parliament with scarecrows in London [1].
This vote gives the SWRA the opportunity to reflect the public rejection of GM crops in the region. Every county council in the South West, along with many unitary authorities, district, town and parish councils have passed resolutions opposing GM crops and food in their areas [4]; and Devon, Dorset and West Dorset councils have called on the SWRA to establish a position on GM crops. The vote would also add the SWRA's voice to the growing movement, across Europe, of local and regional government authorities calling for the right to decide how food is produced in their areas [5].
Friends of the Earth's Regional Campaigns Coordinator in the South West Mike Birkin said:
"Right across the region, local authorities and local people have rejected GM crops as a threat to our food, farming and environment. Here we have a unique opportunity for the South West Regional Assembly to take a stand and reflect this concern in its own position. We call on all Assembly Members to support these moves and add their voice to the growing movement across Europe wanting to promote and protect sustainable farming."
Mike Birkin will be at the full SWRA meeting on Friday and is at the anti-GM rally and mass lobby today (Wednesday).
Notes
[1] For more information see www.gmfreescarecrows.org. Images of constituents with their MPs and scarecrows will be available to download from this site from Thursday 24 February.
[2] Paper P Genetically Modified Crop Production from the Regional Futures Group (PDF)
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
