Government have made a mockery of their own consultation process says Euro-MP

4.07.02pm GMT Tue 9th Mar 2004

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has today criticised the UK Government for giving the go-ahead to GM Maize to be grown in the UK.

Speaking following Margaret Beckett's statement the Liberal Democrat MEP said:

"This statement by Margaret Beckett makes a mockery of the government's consultation process. Last years GM nation debate found over half the people who responded said GM Foods should never be introduced under any circumstances. Even a cross party report published last week advised the government not to give the go ahead for GM maize.

"All the tests that have been done on maize have used the weedkiller, atrazine which will be banned by the EU from 2006. There has been no scientific test of growing GM maize with a replacement herbicide for atrazine.

"After 5 years of consultations and tests on GM foods none of the reports have convinced a highly sceptical public. Rather than rushing headlong into a decision to grow GM crops in Britain, the Government should be commissioning independent research to address the significant gaps in our knowledge of their environmental effects."

ENDS