- The government has announced a year-long
ban on the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops.
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- Environment Minister Michael Meacher
told a House of Commons committee that some GM crops would be allowed for
experimental purposes.
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- The move halts the introduction of a
herbicide-resistant oil seed rape that would have been the first commercially
grown GM crop to be approved in Britain.
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- He said: "I feel it is extremely
important that we do not travel further down the road to commercialisation
of genetically modified crops before we have this information.
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- "I think it is right to be cautious
at this relatively early stage of the use of the technology in the environment."
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- Environmentalists fear crops genetically
engineered to tolerate weed killers and pesticides could have a disastrous
effect on the food chain. They could destroy other plant, bird and insect
life.
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- There have already been attacks on trials
of GM crops by eco-warriors, who are concerned about their effect on the
environment.
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- Jonathan Curtoys, agricultural policy
officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: "These
proposals will give a valuable breathing space to the government but should
not be seen as giving the green light to the GM industry.
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- "Any attempt to release genetically
modified crops on a commercial scale before we have fully assessed the
environment impacts would be foolhardy."
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- Liberal Democrat environment spokesman
Norman Baker said: "Any moratorium on GM crops should extend for five
years, rather than one or three to give time for conclusive research to
be carried out."
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- A new ministerial Biotechnology and Genetic
Modification group will also be set up to look at the whole issue of genetic
crops.
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- Mr Meacher said: "The gap between
public opinion and what many of the experts in the industry are saying
is now very large and that has got to be closed."
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