GM Crops - urgent!

[Juliet]

I've just received a rather worrying email about the government's consultation on the introduction of commercially grown GM crops to this country. If proposals are agreed, this would definitely allow GM crops to be grown commercially in the UK (& non-GM crops to be contaminated with them). They are proposing to allow a toleration level of 0.9% GM contamination of the conventional & organic food industry (&, presumably, the food we grow in our gardens & allotments!).

The deadline for this consultation is 20th October - ie this Friday!

It's probably a bit late to write letters about this, but if you object to these proposals, and want to comment you can email [e-mail] (you need to say that you are responding to the 'Consultation on proposals for managing the coexistence of GM, conventional and organic crops'). There is more information about the proposals on the defra website here: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/gmnongm-coexist/index.htm

You don't have to write an essay - just a note expressing your opinion could make a lot of difference. Apparently every letter (& presumably email) received counts as representing the opinions of thousands who do not write.

Or, if you don't have time or inspiration to write an email of your own, there is a pre-written one (which you can alter as much or as little as you want) here: www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/real_food/press_for_change/gm_contamination/ (just click which part of the UK you live in to get to it).

Please also pass this on to anyone else who can help!

[4pygmies]

I posted about this at the end of September Juliet, on the "getting political" thread. I've already harangued them via the Defra website but I've sent the quickie too! I can't believe how stupid this is, can you? I find it very depressing.

[Juliet]

Thanks 4P & sorry to duplicate - I tend to avoid anything which says it's political so I didn't read your thread .

Just realised, I should perhaps make clear to anyone who thinks GM research is a good idea - the issue I'm asking people to object to is not GM research, but the growing of GM crops allowing the contamination of non-GM crops.

[lottielady]

Lazy Lottie did the ready made email!

LL x

[isabella]

I have sent my email,Juliet Best Wishes Pam

[Juliet]

Thanks LL & Pam (I did the ready-made email too - can never think what to say when people send me these things!).

[anneliesje]

I agree with you Juliet. In Belgium they are still forbidden, thank God! They even sent back tons of rice to the US because there was a chance of contamination.

It makes no sense for a non-UK-resident to post I think.
If not, I will send the ready made e-mail!

<hug>
Anneliesje

[Alicat]

Juliet

I haven't posted my comments yet but will do so in the morning.(probably the quick e-mail as time is short)

I totally agree with you. - GM foods should not be allowed to contaminate non-GM foods. IMHO. that is.

Alicat.

[sweetleaf]

Mine is sent, although I believe Ive already registered my objections previously . 4P`s Thread ?
My opinions on this are already stated, I mean its not like they can undo the damage once they realise its a mistake, once GM is out there its impossible to predict its effects, (there is already a super weed which has been attributed to the escape of GM pollen from experimental fields)

[Alicat]

Sweetleaf I agree.

I have just e-mailed my view. Whether it helps I don't know.

but I would really like our views( The Public) to be taken into account.!!!!

[Deleted]

would appear that those of us in scotland are too late already, so i've pretended i'm in england for this particular rant.

[piggingardener]

Sent the quickie email. I have always been totally opposed to GM and the super weed issue is very worrying. It's bad enough having Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and giant hogweed to contend with without having mutated forms of such horrors as ground elder, bindweed, horsetail, etc.

Thanks for bringing this up Juliet.

[Deleted]

The majority of the public couldn't give a toss about where and how their food is produced, as long as it's cheap and can be slung in a microwave or eaten straight from the polystyrene packaging..

[Juliet]

Thanks everyone who has sent an email. I think you're right generally Dee (sadly) but a lot of people are opposed to GM (in that they wouldn't buy food containing GM ingredients) - so much pressure was put on the main supermarkets by members of the public a few years ago that all of them stopped allowing GM ingredients in their own brand foods: www.connectotel.com/gmfood/gm060103.html . If GM crops are grown commercially in this country, they are unlikely to be able to maintain this position as there is so much risk of contamination of non-GM foods.

[4pygmies]

Sadly I think Dee is right but I take the view that those of us who DO care have every right to try and stop GM contamination - we are the vocal minority! Public opinion has a way of catching up after a few people have made a big fuss - unfortunately it may be too late by then with this particular issue. If we just keep quiet we are failing the next generations badly.

[Deleted]

If you use tinned tomatoes or tomato puree you are most likely using GM crops, they fruit they use was one of the first GM crops year ago.

[Deleted]

Playing devils advocate for a moment - would you feel differently if GM maise, rice and wheat could solve the famines in Africa - would you say that would be OK?

[Juliet]

Hi Dee, the issue I'm talking about isn't whether or not GM is or could be a good thing, or whether or not research on GM foods should or shouldn't be continued, it's purely about whether conventional and organic farmers & growers have the right to continue growing crops without their being contaminated with GM. If this proposal goes ahead it will take away that right, so I am opposed to the proposal.

I don't do arguments though (I find them very stressful & stress is very bad for my health) so I'm not going to get into the question of whether or not GM generally is or could be a good thing - so if the thread does turn into an argument I'll take it out of my bookmarks (that's not being aggressive or nasty or anything, just explaining that if you don't see me here again that's why).

[obelixx]

Personally, I don't want any GM crops grown near me o rmine. There are already too many unforeseen consequences on the environment from meddling with chemicals to risk the possibility of gene mutations leaking into the wider flora and fauna and finding ourselves lumbererd with something we can't handle. I don't want resistant weeds the same way I don't want resistant germs such as TB or hospital superbugs.

As for GM crops helping Africa - dream on. There is enough food already to feed the world but in the developed world there is protectionism and in Africa in particular there is not the political will to create the necessary infrastructure of good government, competent administration and adequate transport and distribution links for food to be grown, harvested and marketed. Nor will there be as long as their politicians continue to divert international aid into personal Swiss bank accounts and organisations such as the World Bank and the UN continue giving aid via these governments.