Cumbria goes GM-free

Cumbria became the latest county council to vote to go GM-free. The move was warmly welcomed by Friends of the Earth, who launched its GM-free Britain campaign last year. The Lake District National Park recently backed a similar GM-free policy.

Support was overwhelming with Cumbria County Council voting 64-9 (with three abstentions) for a GM-free Cumbria. Measures voted through include applying, under a European law, to prevent GM crops from being grown in Cumbria, steps to prevent GM crops on council-controlled land, and banning GM food from local food services such as school meals and residential homes.

There are serious concerns about the long term impacts that GM food and crops may have on our health and environment. Earlier this week a Government-sponsored review of GM science admitted to a number of uncertainties and gaps in our knowledge. Furthermore, a Government review of the GM economics, published earlier this month, concluded that there was little market for GM food in the short term, and that its long-term prospects were grim if people continued to reject GM food.

Friends of the Earth launched its GM-free Britain (http://www.gmfreebritain.com/) campaign to persuade local authorities to take action on GM food and crops. Those that have already taken GM-free action include the Welsh National Assembly, Devon, Dorset, Lancashire, Cornwall, Warwickshire, Shropshire and South Gloucestershire.

"This is fantastic news," said Friends of the Earth Cumbria's GM Campaigner, Jill Perry. "Cumbria council has responded to people's concerns by voting to go GM-free. This move sends a clear message to the Government that people in Cumbria don't want their food, farming and environment threatened by GM pollution. The Government should listen and refuse to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK."

The Government is expected to decide whether or not to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK later this year.