Shoppers to be warned about GM content.

12.10.03pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 26th Apr 2004

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has welcomed new requirements, which mean shoppers must be told whether the food products on supermarket shelves contain genetically modified material.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said that consumers needed the information so that they could decide for themselves what to buy.

"This change will mean that consumers can decide whether or not to eat food with genetically modified ingredients. People simply will not trust the developments in food science unless we insist on complete openness and transparency.

"Last year the European Parliament faced down opposition from US manufacturers to insist on the introduction of clear labelling rules. All products with a GM content of more than 0.9 per cent will be required to carry labels at least as large as those listing ingredients.

"Most supermarkets have long since removed GM foods from their shelves because of consumer demand for non-GM products.

"In the UK Tony Blair is listening to the US and not to UK people over this issue. He must respect the views of British people; we don't want GM".

ENDS