BAKER CALLS FOR LOCAL DECISIONS ON GM CROPS

This call comes as part of the MP's response to the government's consultation on proposals for managing the coexistence of GM, conventional and organic crops in the UK in which he voiced his concerns about the effects of cross-pollination and the damage that this could cause to local conventional and organic farmers trying to grow GM free crops.

Mr Baker called on the government to:

Ensure that any measures introduced would aim to limit all GM contamination in organic and conventional crops to just 0.1%

Increase the proposed separation distances between GM crops and GM free crops, designed to prevent cross pollination, such that they accurately reflect the distance that pollen actually travels.

Ensure that proposed measures to limit contamination are incorporated into legislation and not left to a voluntary industry code of practice.

Put robust guidance is in place to ensure that biotechnology companies are liable for both damage resulting from cross-contamination with other farms and wider environmental damage caused by the contamination of wild species and the excessive use of herbicides on GM crops

He said:"The government has sadly cowed in to the big US GM lobby. Their proposals are poorly thought out and wholly inadequate in preserving freedom of choice for local people. The vast majority of people in this area, and indeed the UK as a whole, have made it abundantly clear that they don't want GM crops in the UK. Most supermarkets and major food retailers have better understood the strength of public feeling on this issue and have consequently pledged not to stock GM food."