Meacher attacks GM crops

GM confrontation: Feelings run high over possible risks

Environment Minister Michael Meacher has denied that he is about to quit the government after he launched an outspoken attack on genetically modified (GM) crops.

Mr Meacher argued that biotechnology was not "necessary" to feed the world and highlighted his concerns at possible health risks to consumers.

There is not a scintilla of evidence suggesting that I should resign...the claim is not just wrong, worse, it is silly

Michael Meacher

His comments were effectively disowned by his government department - Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - who said Mr Meacher's comments were "his views".

Prime Minister Tony Blair is a known enthusiast of GM but DEFRA admitted there were "creative tensions" in the government over the issue.

Ministers are to announce later in the year whether they will allow GM crops to be grown commercially.

Resignation denial

Following newspaper speculation that he might be about to quit, Mr Meacher, in a statement issued via his spokesman, denied that he could resign over the issue.

He said: "This is an absurd invention. There is not a scintilla of evidence suggesting that I should resign. The claim is not just wrong, worse, it is silly."

We have been feeding ourselves perfectly adequately since overcoming problems of hunger in our early existence - GM is not necessary

Michael Meacher

Mr Meacher's attack on GM crops came during an interview with the Ecologist magazine.

He said: "The real problem is whether 10, 20, 30 years down the track, serious and worrying things happen that none of us ever predicted.

"It's these sorts of totally unpredicted problems that make me very, very cautious.

"The human race has existed on this planet for about a quarter of a million years."

Subject for debate

He added: "We have been feeding ourselves perfectly adequately since overcoming problems of hunger in our early existence. GM is not necessary."

Mr Meacher, who is MP for Oldham West and Royton, also questioned the motives of companies behind GM but said the government could not afford to conduct its own trials.

Earlier this month Mr Meacher admitted that a public debate on the issues surrounding genetically modified crops had got off to a slow start.

He said the government wanted to "give people an opportunity to have genuine discussions" about GM, because the debate had been "extremely polarised".