21st December 2006 updated 30th December 2006

 
What is it with this Government and GM crops? They have consulted again on GM and again found there is overwhelming opposition, but they still go ahead (i).

They have announced UK GM potato trials, yet scientists have warned that it will be "almost impossible" to prevent cross-contamination. Any potato left in the ground could contaminate future crops. Only recently we had an experimental US crop not approved for human consumption contaminate thousands of tons of food supplies.

The Government is ignoring what we want to eat and our health and safety. Even in the US, McDonald's, McCain, Burger King and Pringles rejected GM potatoes years ago. Who wants GM potato crisps or chips anyway? This trial is a waste of time and money.

Organic growers already have successful techniques to combat blight in potatoes: it is these techniques we should be promoting. Infact the organic market is growing by 30% a year, which makes it all the more extraordinary that the Government is bowing to corporate pressure to introduce GM technology which nobody wants.

Our Government is effectively opening a Pandora's Box which could let loose a trail of damage stretching far into the future. It is not worth the risk.

Philip Booth, Stroud District Green Party.


Notes:

(i) See Green party report for latest consultation report

Update 30th December 2006:

- The UK government's decision to allow trials of a new strain of GM potato has been met with strong opposition by the potato industry and the country's largest maker of chips. The British Potato Council said its refusal to endorse the trials was based on consumers' mistrust of GM technology. Bill Bartlett, corporate affairs director of chip manufacturer McCain Foods (GB), said McCain Foods was also  disappointed with the decision.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7355

- Dr Arpad Pusztai, the scientist who found that GM potatoes harmed the health of rats, has warned that the decision to approve trials of blight-resistant GM potatoes in the UK could mean preventing cross-contamination was "almost impossible". He said "We are dealing with a very unstable genome which will almost certainly be producing some toxic effects and if they get into our human food chain it will cause a huge calamity." http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7355

- A Derbyshire farmer dropped out of the forthcoming GM potato trials because of threats made against him, according to media reports. However, Derbyshire Police said the farmer had made "no specific complaints" about any threat. The farmer's concerns apparently arose from the "intense publicity". That did not stop pro-GM lobbyists denouncing the "intimidation" and calling on the government and police to act robustly to defend reason, freedom and democracy! This is not the first time that such stories have been shown to have no basis except black propaganda.
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7400