Lib Dems take a stand on GM crops in the South West
February 28, 2005 4:05 PM
Sean Emmett and the Lib Dems want to see sustainable agriculture.
The South West Regional Assembly has adopted a strong protocol to protect the region from Genetically Modified crops and for strict liability on GM Companies adopting a polluter pays principle.
The Liberal Democrats on the Assembly welcomed the move as far as it went recognizing that farming is important in the South West and that Organic production and sustainable agriculture are key to the future well-being of our land and countryside.
The Liberal Democrats wanted a much stronger position in the South West and called on the protocol to include the precautionary principle to help resist trials and licences for GM crops in the SW, for the Assembly to adopt the Friend of The Earth request that all local production of GM crops should be subject to local accountability and that the SW should join with 10 other regions of Europe and declare itself a GM free zone.
However the Conservative and Labour groups (including Bristol Labour Cllr Pyle) voted together to defeat the Liberal Democrat proposals.
Bristol Lib Dem Cllr Sean Emmett (who attended the meeting as a substitute for Cllr Janke) said "Consumers do not want GM food in their kitchen and the Liberal Democrats do not want it grown in our area. It's a disgrace that Labour and Conservative groups supported the GM companies and ignored the wishes of local people. They do not even want the issue put to local consultation. The Liberal Democrats will continue to campaign against the spread of this technology into our environment."
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