GM Free Britain
30 Sep 2003
GM-free zones are spreading across the UK as local authorities from Cornwall to Cumbria vote to keep GM crops out of their area. In July the Lake District National Park Authority became the first National Park to vote to go GM-free, a decision warmly welcomed by Friends of the Earth whose GM-free Britain campaign is highlighting levels of local authority opposition to GM.
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While we've taken every precaution to ensure that the content of this article remains intact, it may contain errors.GM-free zones are spreading across the UK as local authorities from Cornwall to Cumbria vote to keep GM crops out of their area. In July the Lake District National Park Authority became the first National Park to vote to go GM-free, a decision warmly welcomed by Friends of the Earth whose GM-free Britain campaign is highlighting levels of local authority opposition to GM.
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Photo: Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere ©Ann Bowker www.keswick.u-net.com
South Lakeland Friends of the Earth’s GM campaigner, Marianne Bennett, said: “GM crops pose a real threat to wildlife as well as farmers, including organic producers, who want to keep their crops GM-free. By voting for a precautionary approach, the Lake District National Park has shown it wants to protect our environment and farming from GM pollution now and in the future.”
The West Country is now a wholly GM-free zone from Cornwall through Devon, Somerset and Dorset. The Welsh National Assembly declared Wales GM-free. Shropshire, South Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, East Riding and Humber as well as many town, city and district councils have all voted against GM and the number is growing. “There has been cross party support for the GM free zones from elected representatives across the country,” said Pete Riley of Friends of the Earth.
Although local authorities have no legal control over GM crops, their opposition is a clear indication that there is no support for GM in the UK. Local authorities can request special status through Article 19 of the EU Directive which allows areas to be excluded from GM production due to special circumstances such as the risk of GM oilseed rape cross-pollinating with wild varieties that grow in many parts of the UK. Many local authorities are insisting on GM-free meals in schools and residential homes and are also asking all tenant farmers to grow GM-free crops.
FURTHER INFORMATION : Friends of the Earth, 26-28 Underwood St., London N1 7JQ. Tel: 020 7490 1555
WEB SITE : http://www.gmfreebritain.com EMAIL: info@foe.co.uk
2nd WEB SITE : http://www.foe.co.uk
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