GM Crops should be approved unless proven safe say Liberal Democrats

2.30.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 9th Nov 2007

Ministers must not approve commercial planting of GM crops in England, until it is proved safe, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary Chris Huhne has said. Responses to a Defra survey showed that most opposed Defra's plan to allow GM crops to be grown in fields at least 35m from non-GM crops. A Defra spokesman said they would await the results of three reports, due next spring, before plans are taken further. No commercial GM crops are yet grown in the UK, but the government wants to have measures in place in England for the coexistence of GM and organic crops.

Chris Huhne said "People want to be safe and not sorry on GM foods, as the overwhelming bulk of responses to the Government's consultation show. Ministers should not give any go-ahead for commercial planting until they can state confidently that GM varieties would not contaminate non-GM foods and that they are safe. This is essential for consumers who prefer non-GM foods, but also for organic farming which is the fastest growing part of British agriculture."