States to control GM crops growth

Under the legislation, a licence would be needed to grow GM crops

Legislation is to be developed to control genetically-modified crops in Guernsey.

States members have approved measures proposed by the Agriculture and Countryside Board for laws to be drawn up aimed at controlling the growth of GM crops in the Bailiwick.

Under the legislation, a licence would be needed to grow any GM crops in the island.

But Board president, Deputy Peter Roffey, said that, in reality, it was unlikely Guernsey would grow GM crops.

He claimed it would be quite difficult to grow the crops while maintaining a protection from cross-fertilisation to growers in the island.