Action Briefing Apr 2003 - May 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Can We Ever Have A GM-Free Birmingham?

It will soon be decision time for the British Government on whether to allow the commercial production of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in this country at a time when the long term effects of such crops and their derivatives on health and the environment are still unclear. It is likely a decision will be made after the long awaited (but underfunded) debate on GM crops that will take place this summer. An unnamed Government minister has told Friends of the Earth to expect a ‘PR offensive’.

Public pressure has extended the debate until September, but the Government is unlikely to let itself be bound by the outcome. It is widely suspected that the Government may have already made up its mind to press ahead with the commercialisation of GM crops. Therefore it is imperative that people tackle this issue locally and encourage local authorities (LAs) to declare themselves GM-free.

GM-free areas are being declared around the world; in Austria, Germany, France, Australia. New Zealand, Wales, and Switzerland. Here in Britain, South Gloucestershire Council, South Hams District Council and Norton Radstock Town Council (both in Devon) have voted to become GM-free; Devon County Council has stated its opposition to GM and is well on the way to becoming GM-free; and Lancashire County Council has passed a resolution restating its GM-free sourcing policy.

We want the Council to declare Birmingham a GM free area by passing a FoE-drafted resolution that forbids the use of GM foodstuffs in any goods and services the Council provides. People want the right to choose GM-free local food and this measure will help to protect that right.

But failure to enact the resolution could be costly not just for the public. Once commercial GM planting begins, all local authorities will have to devote increased resources to food monitoring and food safety, e.g. enforcement of labelling; monitoring for contamination by unapproved GM material; and action in the event of contamination or the withdrawal of an approved GM food. Furthermore, LAs may find themselves liable if problems arise, such as GM weeds appearing on land for which the LA is responsible. Responsibility for the clear-up of GM “pollution” remains unclear, so it may fall to local Councils.

FoE thinks that GM-free areas can be provided with legal protection under new EU legislation on GM crops. Article 19 of the EU GMO Directive (2001/18) specifically mentions the protection of “geographical areas”. FoE suggests that local authorities ask the Secretary of State to use this provision to protect self-declared GM-free areas against future releases of GM crops and their derivatives. The Council could then ensure that no GM crops are grown on land over which it has control (e.g. through tenancy agreements) and adopt a GM-free policy for all goods and services for which it is responsible (e.g. school meals). It will certainly be difficult for the Government to proceed with commercialisation if areas and regions are saying they don't want to be part of it.

James Botham & Simon Ware

Take Action
In the run up to the Council elections on 1st May, we will be lobbying the candidates to publicly support the GM-free campaign. The list of candidates is published on 3rd April so there's plenty of time to find out who will be standing in your area and get a letter off to them. Call us on 0121 632 6909 or email info@birminghamfoe.org.uk if you need any more info. We will be distributing information in the City Centre as part of a national GM-free Britain day of action on 12th April 2003. You could also visit the national GM- Free Britain campaign website www.GMFreeBritain.com

The Draft Resolution in full

“This Council recognises that:

(a)The genetic modification of crop plants is a relatively new branch of science and technology;
(b)That there is still scientific debate about the safety of GM crops;
(c)That the commercial growing of GM crops presents legal, economic, social and ethical problems that have not yet been properly addressed:

and declares that:

(d)The County/City of . . . will be kept free of GM crops and GM food and animal feed.

“To that end, this council commits to:

(e)Requesting the Secretary of State for agriculture to provide legal protection for . . . as a GM-free area, in line with Article 19 of 2001/18/EC
(f)Ensuring that no GM crops are grown on land over which it has control
(g)Adopting a GM-free policy for all goods and services for which this council is responsible.”