Petition: UK GM free zone

[ina]

There is an e-petition to make the UK a GM free zone on the 10 Downing
Street website. It can be accessed at

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/gmfreeuk/

[flower]

done

[Andy Hamilton]

and done.

[ina]

Cheers! You never know, it might actually have some effect...

[glenniedragon]

As I have too. There is a theory that GM crops have been responsible for the catastrophic colony collapses the USA have seen, some crops have a pesticide effect which is indiscriminate and kills the 'goodies' (bees, ladybirds) as well as the 'baddies' (greenfly, aphids you know the gang) and bees are in enough strife as it is.

kind thoughts
Deb

[Shirley]

done!

[ina]

some crops have a pesticide effect which is indiscriminate and kills the 'goodies' (bees, ladybirds) as well as the 'baddies' (greenfly, aphids you know the gang) and bees are in enough strife as it is.

They can also make the pests resistant to pesticides, whether applied or inbred, so can leave farmers with multiple problems, whether they are organic or conventional farmers.

[ina]

The Government's response:

http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15064.asp


"The Government set out its policy on GM crops in a Parliamentary statement in 2004. This reflected a careful evaluation of all the available information, including reports from a public debate, science review and costs and benefits study. No other country has undertaken such a comprehensive assessment of the case for and against GM crops. Having weighed all the evidence, we concluded that the only sensible approach is to assess each GM crop on a case-by-case basis. The Government is not promoting this technology, but we have a duty as regulators to take proportionate and evidence-based decisions.

We have made it clear that our top priority is to protect human health and the environment. Under European Union (EU) legislation each proposed GM product is subject to a detailed risk assessment which involves careful scrutiny by independent scientists. An evaluation is made of all the risk factors that may arise, including possible toxic or allergenic effects and the likely consequences of any gene transfer. The Government will only agree to the commercial release of a GM crop if we are fully satisfied that it is safe. Our precautionary approach is illustrated by the decision we took not to support approval for two of the GM crops that we insisted should be subject to a carefully-managed programme of field trials.

We also strongly support people being able to choose between GM and non-GM products. Defra is developing 'co-existence' arrangements so that producers and consumers can distinguish between GM, conventional and organic crops, should approved GM varieties be grown here in due course. These arrangements will back up the existing EU legal requirements on the tracing and labelling of GM products throughout the food supply chain. Crops, products or individual food ingredients must be labelled as 'GM' if they: intentionally consist of GM organisms, however small the amount; have an adventitious GM presence above 0.9%; or are made from a genetically modified organism, even though they do not have a detectable GM content (e.g. oil processed from a GM crop).

We take public concerns seriously and are committed to effective regulation, a rigorous scrutiny process based on sound science, and clear and enforceable labelling rules to ensure people can make informed choices. Ultimately, it will be for farmers and consumers to decide via the normal operation of the market whether they want to buy GM seeds or finished products. If there is no market for them GM crops will not be grown."

[Martin]

CHOICE??... the moment frankenbollocks is planted, bang goes all chance to have organic through contamination................some bloody choice!

[ina]

Just my thoughts...

[MKG]

I've decided I just don't know enough about GM. Anyone know a good bullshit-free and independent place to start?

[pskipper]

As always you can trust wikipedia to be impartial...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetic_engineering

was a little concerned reading the e-petition as it's remit would also deny diabetics insulin as that is produced via genetic modification of bacteria!

[Martin]

gently partial.........
http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/4764/9/

[pskipper]

Just to reassure folks, we have much tighter controls in the UK than those referred to in the link Martin supplied.

[Martin]

unfortunately, probably not for much longer - there is a concerted effort from the GM lobbying organisations going on - it looks like there will be secret trials in the UK this year.........same trick as the nuclear lobby - they'll "sell" it any way they can to the government and an apathetic public!