PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
GM, THE US AND BIOTECH COMPANIES (21 June 2005)

That this House notes the pressure exerted by the United States and biotech companies, especially through the GM dispute at the World Trade Organisation, to open European markets to GM products; is concerned this may lead to decisions that deny consumer choice for GM-free food and leave farmers without compensation for GM contamination; recognises the growing movement for GM-free areas across Europe from farmers, local authorities and communities; believes that local authorities should have the right to decide whether GM crops can be grown in their area; further notes that EU law makes the drawing up of rules to avoid GM contamination the responsibility of national parliaments; and further believes that, before any further planting of genetically modified organisms, science-based rules for their release should be debated and approved by Parliament and the relevant national assemblies and that such rules should seek to prevent contamination of conventional and organic crops, preserve consumer choice and make GM consent-holders liable for damage caused by their products.

Sponsored by:
Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat)