Home > Press releases > Archived press releases > 2002 > Gm-free britain campaign launched
22 October 2002
Friends of the Earth today launched its GM-free Britain campaign, calling on local authorities to become GM-free zones. Local authorities across the country will be approached by scores of Friends of the Earth local groups. The launch coincides with publication of a new NOP survey showing that 57 per cent do not want the Government to allow GM crops to be commercially grown across the UK [1].
The GM-free Britain campaign comes at a crucial time in the GM debate. Within the next eighteen months the Government is expected to decide whether or not to allow GM crops to be commercially grown across the UK. If it does it would lead to widespread GM contamination of our food, crops and environment, and would remove people's right to choose food free from GM content.
Friends of the Earth is calling on local authorities to play their part in keeping Britain free of GM crops and promote sustainable food production. By declaring themselves a GM-free zone local authorities can:
Local authorities have already demonstrated their opposition to GM food and crops. More than 50 local authorities have backed the Five Year Freeze Campaign - which calls for a 'freeze' on the commercial growing of GM crops. A number of authorities have also insisted that caterers (such as those supplying schools and social services) have a non-GM policy [3]. Around the world, GM-free areas have been declared in parts of Germany, France, Australia and Switzerland.
Friends of the Earth's GM campaigner Pete Riley said:
"This is a crucial time in the GM debate. The Government will soon decide whether to allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK. If it decides in favour, it will lead to widespread GM contamination of crops, food and the environment. If that happens, people will no longer be able to say no to GMOs. We're calling on local authorities to take action on this issue by becoming GM-free areas and to take action to stop GM crops in their area."
A background briefing on Friends of the Earth's GM-free Britain campaign is available from the press office on request.
More information on Friends of the Earth's GM-free Britain campaign can be found online at: www.gmfreebritain.com
[1] NOP Omnibus interviewed 1000 people aged 15 + between 4th and 6th October 2002. Recent opinion polls have shown that most people are opposed to GM and food. A survey in last month's Grocer (20 September) found that 58% would avoid products containing GM ingredients. And an NOP poll for FOE, published on the same day, revealed that 63 per cent of people that regularly bought honey wanted it to be GM-free.
[2]Article 19 of EU GMO Directive (2001/18)
[3]"Our policy, as set out in the partnership agreement 'Putting Wales First', is to restrict any intention to grow GM crops commercially in Wales as far as is lawful according to European Union legislation. We also intend to continue to market Wales as an area of the European Union where the agricultural produce is GM-free." - Rhodri Morgan, First Minister, Welsh Assembly
"Dorset County Council aims to avoid serving food containing GM ingredients on Education and Social services premises. New county Farm tenancy agreements have conditions attached requiring tenants not to grow GM crops, and existing tenants are asked not to grow GM crops, The County Council has written to the Local Government Association (LGA) urging it to promote the precautionary principle in respect of GM issues." - Dorset County Council report of the Director of Environmental Services, 12 July 2001
For further information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
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