27th September 2007

Martin Whiteside writes to local papers: 

News that ministers are backing new moves to introduce GM crops is the latest in this Government’s shameful record of ignoring the public and the very principles of democracy. It happened over nuclear power, the Iraq War and even the proposed European Reform Treaty. Now it is GM crops (i).

Public opinion couldn’t be clearer: GM crops have been shown to be bad for biodiversity and farmers. We don’t want GM crops either in our fields or on our dinner plates. This was the result of the Government’s own widespread consultation, and is borne out in recent studies: a recent poll shows 70 per cent of Europeans are opposed to the introduction of GM crops while in Gloucestershire we've seen an even stronger rejection of these crops.

For the sake of our environment, our rural communities, our health and even respect for democracy, the government must distance itself from this latest agri-business-driven campaign. Failure to do so can only further erode the already minimal trust between Gordon Brown and the public.

Martin Whiteside
Hillside, Claypits Lane, Lypiatt, Stroud
Stroud Green Party Parliamentary Spokesperson

Notes:

(i) See Guardian article, "Return of GM: ministers back moves to grow crops in UK":
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/sep/17/gmcrops.politicalnews1