Organic farming groups have called on Westminster to
follow the Welsh and Scottish governments in taking a strong stance
against genetically modified crops.
Representatives of the
Organic Trade
Board and the Soil
Association, along with 10 organic businesses, met
DEFRA minister Hilary Benn
in London last week to urge him to stop voting in favour of GMs at
policy-making meetings in Brussels.
The groups condemned Mr Benn for voting to try and stop
countries like Germany from banning Monsanto's GM maize – a
decision taken by the German government after concerns were raised
over the crop's environmental impact.
Mr Benn was asked to support the strong GM-free position adopted
by the Scottish and Welsh governments.
And the organic lobby highlighted the proposal by the Welsh
Assembly government to make GM companies liable for any damage
their GM crops cause.
Mr Benn acknowledged the benefits of organic farming in terms of
reducing emissions emissions. He also agreed to pass on a request
to Prime Minister Gordon Brown to follow the lead set by White
House staff in Washington where an organic garden has been
established.