GM plans attacked after 'leak'

Anti-GM protests continue

Campaigners have attacked the government after a newspaper reports it plans to back EU rules allowing commercial growing of genetically-modified crops.

A letter from environment secretary Margaret Beckett - allegedly leaked to The Sunday Times - reportedly recommends the government should support European Commission guidelines on accepting GM.

The new guidelines from Brussels would ban GM-free zones and allow the co-existence of GM with conventional crops, the newspaper said.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth attacked the government for ignoring public concerns and said GM-free zones should be established to provide opponents with an alternative.

"There is widespread support throughout Britain and the EU for GM-free zones, and European law allows this," said Friends of the Earth's GM campaigner Clare Oxborrow.

'Overwhelming thumbs-down'

Results of a government GM consultation exercise in the UK - GM Nation - are due out next week.

They are expected to show widespread opposition to GM food and crops.

"The government's consultation on GM crops will reveal they are unnecessary, unpopular and offer no economic benefit," Clare Oxborrow said.

"But despite this overwhelming thumbs-down, it still seems determined to press ahead with commercialisation. If this happens it will lead to extensive contamination and take away people's right to choose GM-free food."

The group accuses the government of driving commercialisation of GM because of pressure from the US Government and biotech companies.

Business

The Sunday Times' report also carries another alleged communication between senior ministers in which Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt warns of the potential impact on EU-US relations if commercialisation is not pursued.

The topic is particularly sensitive in the wake of legal action being brought by the US against the EU over GM restrictions, the newspaper said.

Shadow trade and industry secretary Tim Yeo has advised ministers "to think again" over the plans.

Ministers are being pressed by their friends in business to make a decision before the full analysis has been completed Tim Yeo

"Allowing commercial planting of GM crops whilst scientific doubts remain about their environmental impact is bad science, bad business and bad for the environment," he said.

"Ministers are being pressed by their friends in business to make a decision before the full analysis has been completed. Once this door has been opened it will be hard to close it," he warned.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) emphasised GM crops had not been approved for commercial growing in Britain.

"All 15 member states would have to reach agreement before any can be grown. Defra doesn't expect those discussions to begin until next year," a spokesman said.

European Commission proposals on GM are due to be discussed at an EU agriculture ministers meeting later this month.