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THIRD WORLD NETWORK BIOSAFETY INFORMATION SERVICE 8 March 2005
Important developments are taking place in the UK of late, which affects the adoption of GM foods, crops and practices in the country. In an unprecedented move, the South West Regional Assembly of the UK became the first regional authority to adopt a position on GM. It issued a statement of principles, which among others, calls for the protection of food and farming from GM crops, a strict liability mechanism on GM companies and the strict testing of GM crops to prove that they do not have a negative impact on society, the economy and the environment. Meanwhile, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has proposed the setting up of an online GMO land register which would provide a mechanism to trace GM planting, providing choice and traceability for producers and consumers alike. This move comes in light of growing public concern regarding GM and a growing sentiment that the public has the right to know where crops are coming from and whether or not they are GM-free. It is hoped that the scheme will also be adopted amongst other European countries.
Lim Li
Lin and Chee Yoke Heong REF: Doc.TWN/Biosafety/2005/F Item 1 Immediate release: 25 February 2005 SOUTH WEST REGION TAKES STAND OVER GM THREAT The South West Regional Assembly today called on food and farming in the region to be protected from GM crops, and for strict liability on GM companies [1]. The south west is the first region to take an official GM position, reflecting the massive opposition in the region - from both local people and local authorities - to GM food and crops. The result has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth, but the environmental campaign group is disappointed that an extra point, which would have significantly strengthened the position, was blocked by the Conservative group [2]. Every county
council in the South West, along with many unitary authorities, district,
town and parish councils have passed resolutions opposing GM crops and
food in their areas [3]; and Devon, Dorset and West Dorset councils had
called on the SWRA to establish a position on Friends of the Earth's Regional Campaigns Coordinator in the South West Mike Birkin said: "Congratulations to the southwest on becoming the first region in the country to take a stand on GM crops. Right across the region, local authorities and local people have rejected GM food and crops. The Government must take notice and introduce tough new laws to protect our food, farming and environment from GM contamination. "However, we are disappointed that the Assembly didn't go further and join growing calls across Europe for decisions about GM crops to be made locally, instead of in the EU." Notes: [1] The full Assembly meeting agreed a statement of principles: The South West maintains an open mind on the potential benefits and disbenefits of GM crop production however it believes that: - New GM crops should be tested on a case by case basis to prove that they do not have a negative impact on society, the economy and the environment. - Such testing should take place in an enclosed environment/system. - Outcomes should not result in unacceptable burdens on conventional or organic farmers. - Consumer attitudes and concerns should be taken into account in deciding applications. - There should be an effective liability mechanism developed before applications are agreed. The polluter should pay. - That any approach to GM crop production should not hinder moves towards a sustainable food and farming approach in the region. (An amendment was added stating that the SWRA's views were indicative but it does not have responsibility for what is grown in the region). [2] Point
4.6 stated that that EU law must include the democratic right of local
and regional governments to decide whether GM Crops can be cultivated
in their given area. Most laws controlling the approval and control of
GM crops in the UK are EU laws, and they do not allow local For example, once a GM crop is approved for growing in the EU, it can be grown anywhere, including in the southwest, without further consultation or taking any local consumer attitudes into consideration. [3] http://www.gmfreebritain.com <http://www.gmfreebritain.com/> Item 2 http://www.stackyard.com/news/2005/02/land_register.html Public concern regarding GM (Genetically Modified) crops is a mounting issue as demonstrated by the GM-free Britain lobby of Parliament taking place on Wednesday 23rd February. There is a growing sentiment that the public have the right to know where crops are coming from and whether or not they are GM-free. According
to Brian Berry, Head of Land Policy, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
(RICS), 'The only way to allay growing public concern about genetically
modified crops, as evidenced by the GM-free lobby of Parliament on 23
February, is to have a system in place to record where The RICS' proposal for the creation of a web-based GM Land Register offers advantages to all parties, both pro and anti GM: * simple, cost efficient and minimises red tape for farmers as well as producers of GM crops * provides genuine consumer and producer choice in the consumption and growing of GM, non-GM and organic crops as well as offering a practical and implementable system to ensure the full traceability of approved and future location of GM crops and details of crops grown * benefits professionals involved in advising clients on the purchase, sale, value, lease or management of land and property *others who will benefit include: prospective purchasers or lessees of land and property looking for warnings on any possible issues relating to their proposed transaction; those trading in non-GM crops or organic crops, who need to make sure the product meets the growers' claims; those regulators in the UK who monitor any potentially beneficial or harmful effects of GM crops; financial organisations lending money against the security of agricultural, horticultural and other property; land owners and occupiers who wish to comply with all the rules and codes of practice as a defence against potential liability claims from neighbouring farmers and others suffering loss or damage through cross contamination. RICS is currently lobbying the Government to implement the GM Land Register and is awaiting the publication of the Defra consultation paper which will set out the Government's proposals on how best to implement EU Directive 2001/18EC. This Directive places an obligation on Member States to draw up a register for recording the location of GM crops before the first commercial release of crops. ==================== http://www.rics.org/Environmentalandlandconsultancy/Agribusiness/Biotechnology/ Geneticallymodifiedorganisms/gmoregister.htm?corrected404=true RICS calls
for pan European GMO register RICS has published proposals for an online GMO (genetically modified organism) land register which would provide a mechanism to trace GM planting, providing choice and traceability for producers and consumers alike. Members states are required to introduce such a register over the next two years, yet the UK is one of the very few states to even have put in place a pilot scheme. Now, following talks with DEFRA in the UK, Sue Steer, Chairman of the Countryside Policy Panel, lead a team to discuss the proposal with senior members of the Commission, the UK permanent representation and landowner and farming interests in Brussels earlier this week. The keen interest shown in the scheme, it is hoped, will now lead to a take up of the beneficial RICS scheme right across the UK and amongst other European countries.
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