GM Decisions Should Not Be Made Behind Closed Doors Without Debate

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 20th Feb 2004

An expected decision by the Government to give the go-ahead to the widespread commercial planting of genetically-modified crops in Britain would be 'momentous, irreversible and irresponsible', according to Hampshire MEP Chris Huhne.

Mr Huhne pointed out that the Government has been trying to sleepwalk the country into acceptance of GM crops despite the scientific doubts about their long-term effects, and without a single debate in the House of Commons in government time on the decision.

'Decisions on GM should be based on sound science, but the Government is giving the impression of rushing the decision in deference to the pressure of the US President and commercial interests' said Mr Huhne. 'The Tories have been silent on this issue for fear of upsetting GM businesses.

'We must follow the precautionary principle and wait to resolve the many areas of doubt. The crucial thing about GM is that it cannot be undone because cross-contamination cannot be stopped once it starts.

'Michael Meacher was sacked as environment minister because the Prime Minister and Lord Sainsbury, the science minister whose blind trust contains substantial bio-science interests, knew he was an obstacle to GM approval. Mr Meacher has pointed out that the Government has repeatedly suppressed scientific reports that raise questions about GM.

The facts about the debate on GM foods so far are as follows:

· The Prime Minister's own strategy unit found little benefit in GM technology for Britain.

· A review chaired by the PM's chief scientist concluded that genes from GM crops would contaminate conventional and organic produce, and that GM food could cause future health hazards.

· Even the Government's own field trials, which concentrated on the effects of weedkillers, found that weedkillers sprayed on GM beet and oilseed rape so damaged wildlife that they had to be abandoned.

· Reading University scientists say pollution of Britain's natural plant strains is inevitable once GM crops are planted, since a single year of planting will yield thousands of hybrids when wild plants and their GM equivalent mix.

· Tests show that pollen contamination would spread for up to 16 miles and wild growth from just one crop would persist for more than a decade.

'This decision is far too important to be rushed through on the quiet,' said Mr Huhne. '

Ends