Welsh Government
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Consultation responses for Managing the Coexistence between GM, Conventional and Organic Crops in Wales
In line with the Assembly Government’s stated policy position to take the most restrictive and precautionary approach to GM crop cultivation that is consistent with the UK and EU legislative frameworks; a full public consultation was conducted on the options for a coexistence regime for Wales. This regime would aim to minimise any unwanted GM presence in non-GM crops and ensure that adventitious presence is kept below the 0.9% labelling threshold.
The responses were generally polarised between those from organisations, groups and individuals who are opposed to GM crops in terms of their safety and potential impact on the environment, human health and the economy and those who do not share these concerns and are of the opinion that GM crops may be grown safely and be of benefit.
Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones said:
"It is clear that from the responses to our coexistence consultation that GM crops remain an emotive issue in Wales - with views expressed from all sides of the spectrum. However, overall the views expressed were supportive of many of the proposals within our consultation document and of our continuing our precautionary approach to GM coexistence in Wales.
"There was particularly strong support for a statutory national register with public access and I propose to introduce legislation for such a register as soon as detailed proposals have been developed.
"There are of course a few issues that require some further consideration in the light of the consultation exercise and the remaining coexistence proposals will therefore be worked up into regulations on a longer timescale, but well in advance of the approval of any future commercial GM crops suitable for the growing conditions in the UK.
"It remains my intention that GM co-existence will be tightly regulated in Wales and I’m committed to maintaining the consumer’s right to choose food without GM presence and the ability of farmers in Wales to grow organic and conventional crops free from GM contamination."
Links
