Ryedale | Archive | 2003 | July | 2
From the Gazette & Herald, first published Wednesday 2nd Jul 2003.
ANTI-GM campaigners have welcomed the agreement by Ryedale councillors that the district should become a "GM crop-free zone".
But there are questions over the legality of this and how much authority it would have.
The GM-free proposal was put forward by Coun John Clark, who said that Ryedale depended on its environment for its well-being - adding that his motion was "not anti-science nor anti-progress or forever".
While there may be medical benefits from GM crops, there had been no testing on food, said Coun Clark, adding that scientists did not agree on the GM issue. "We are saying we want more science before we risk our environment. GM companies are not liable if it goes wrong."
Coun Keith Knaggs said he supported the general principle of Ryedale being GM-free because he was concerned about contamination of organic crops. "Testing should be just as rigorous for GM as it is for drugs," he said.
Coun Brian Maud said there was insufficient evidence on the issue. "There are convincing stories by scientists on each side."
Ryedale should have a say over trial sites, said Coun Pamela Anderson. "We can't sit here and isolate ourselves," she told the council. She believed that more thought was needed about a GM ban before it became council policy.
The council agreed to ensure that no GM crops are grown on land over which the authority has control, that it should adopt a GM-free policy for all goods and services for which the council is responsible, and that it should consider each prospective GM marketing consent and, where appropriate, take up the issue with the Government and the European Commission.
The council also called on North Yorkshire County Council and health authorities to adopt a GM-free policy and local purchase policy for all schools, hospitals and similar establishments throughout Ryedale. An amendment that there should be a public debate before a decision was made was lost.
Ryedale Friends of the Earth campaigner Josie Downs said: "We are delighted that Ryedale District Council has voted to go GM-free. Around Britain, there is growing opposition to GM crops and food. This decision sends a strong message to the Government that local people don't want their food, farms and environment threatened by GM crops. It is time now for the Government to listen and not allow GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK."
Members approved a motion by Coun Jim Bailey, of Ryedale District Council, that the authority should make representations to DEFRA that if GM crops are to be licensed, the park should have an exemption. The authority fears there is an unknown threat if GMOs are released because they could threaten the biodiversity of the national park's special landscape features.
Updated: 09:56 Wednesday, July 02, 2003
© Newsquest Media Group 2008