Action Briefing Dec 2002 - Jan 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

Now Or Never!

FOE's GM Free Britain Campaign

In the near future decisions will soon be made about whether genetically modified (GM) crops are going to be grown commercially in Britain. The US and the big biotech companies are pressurising the UK government to give the go-ahead for commercial planting. This article sets out the context of the current GM situation and outlines how we can encourage the government to keep our local area GM free until the technology is proven to be safe.

The possible effects of GM in the Birmingham area are more from eating GM food than that grown in the area. Therefore I will focus on this aspect. The health effects of GM food are unknown yet people will eat it regardless. If local authorities give children in schools unsafe food then the taxpayers may find themselves liable to pay compensation for any harm done. And any harm done could be irreversible. This might be scare mongering but it might not be. The important issue is that the risk shouldn’t be taken with future generations. Local businesses might also be affected if they are found to be selling unsafe food. One thing is clear though biotechnology companies have no legal obligation to clear up any mess they cause and that they will not do so.

For food growers and consumers it is important to note that co-existence of GM and non-GM crops is impossible. If GM crops are grown then pollen will travel, insects such as bees that produce honey could be affected and organic crops grown near GM crops are at risk. The current trials are in such close proximity to non-GM crops some of these affects could already have occurred.

It has also been shown by an EU study that once GM crops are grown commercially then non-GM farmers’ costs could rise by up to 40% of the value of their crops. One result of growing GM crops could therefore be that the poorest in our society may find they can no longer buy non-GM food. In a recent lawsuit in the US another cost was highlighted. Farmers from Iowa claimed that contamination from GM crops due to StarLink meant that they received lower prices for their maize as confidence in it collapsed. And it might also affect tourism in the area in the same way foot and mouth did.

However, I’m not suggesting all is bad with GM foods. They may provide benefits to people all over the world. All I would like is that people have the full information and that they are able to choose to eat non-GM foods. Locally shops, restaurants, caterers and other businesses are going to find it harder to remain GM-free. Local authorities will find themselves having to spend more and more time checking and enforcing food labelling and making sure GM food is properly approved.

So what action can you take? The priority is the local Council, in our case Birmingham City Council. You could write to your local Councillor at the Council House asking them to ensure all goods and services for which they are responsible ie. school meals are kept GM-free. For further ideas for action take a look at www.GMFreeBritain.com

Simon Ware