NEWS RELEASE

Council asked to use new powers on GM pollution

Action against Dorset GM crops sought under Local Government Act 2000

 Date: 2 April 2001

Councils given new powers "to do anything"

The Wessex Natural Law Party has called for West Dorset District Council to immediately exercise new powers granted to it under the Local Government Act 2000, as a means to prevent the spread of environmental pollution in the District threatened by a new set of GM crop trials. The proposed trials are due to be carried out at a site at Bincombe, close to the boundary with the Borough of Weymouth and Portland.

The remarkable new Act gives local authorities the power literally "to do anything" which they consider likely to achieve the promotion or improvement of the economic, social or environmental well-being of their areas provided the action is not explicitly prohibited by other legislation. Official guidance from central government on the new Act confirms that: 'It is for the local authority itself to decide whether any particular action would promote or improve well-being, taking account of their local circumstances and the wishes and needs of their communities."

Public opposition unanimous

Wessex Natural Law Party spokesman Mark Griffiths was one of the formal speakers at a public meeting held at Littlemoor, near Weymouth last week following extreme local concern about the new GM crop trials at Bincombe. There was standing room only for most of the evening and the event finished with a unanimous vote in opposition to the trials:

"People at the meeting were fuming. The trial site it is very close to residential areas and schools on the outskirts of Weymouth. There is no doubt that local residents and their properties will be at risk from exposure to genetically modified pollen drift from these trials. This is crass stupidity on the part of central government. The time has come when we have to bring this situation under local accountable control. The powers under the new Act offer the opportunity to do just that", explains Mr Griffiths.

Options for action

Given the clear public opposition to the trials the Natural Law Party has written to Clive Rennison, Chief Executive at West Dorset District Council, asking the Council to use its new powers under the Act to introduce either:

1) A ban on all environmental releases of genetically modified organisms in the District, OR

2) A requirement that such releases are made subject to full public consultation and formal consent from the District Council

Neighbouring farmland at risk from GM pollution

The proposed trials at Bincombe are for GM oilseed rape, and possibly also for GM forage maize. The Natural Law Party has pointed out to the Council that in addition to the human health and environmental risks associated with GM crops, their presence in the District also represents a threat to the local economy through the contamination of other crops in the area. It is well-known that pollen from oilseed rape and maize can be spread by wind and insects over large distances.

Violating Natural Law

"Increasingly scientific research is highlighting the risks associated with genetically modified organisms. If national government is too weak to prevent these radical violations of Natural Law then we have to look to local government to step into the breach to protect the well-being of our environment and our communities," emphasises Mr Griffiths.

Notes for editors:

1. A copy of the full text of the Natural Law Party's letter to West Dorset District Council can be read at:
   www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex/Documents/Rennison.htm

2. A copy of the Local Government Act 2000 can be read at:
   www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000022.htm

3. A copy of DETR's guidance note on the Local Government Act 2000 can be read at:
   www.local-regions.detr.gov.uk/wellbeing/index.htm

4. The Natural Law Party has been campaigning for a global ban on GM foods since 1996. More information on the dangers of genetically modified food and the Natural Law Party's campaign to ban genetically modified foods in Wessex is available at www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex .

5. Mark Griffiths BSc FRICS FAAV can be contacted on 01962 852122 or at nlpwessex@bigfoot.com .

[Earlier Western Gazette article on NLP message to Dorset farmers on economic importance of remaining GM free - click here]

Return to NLP Wessex GM page
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Natural Law Party campaign to ban genetically modified foods in Wessex

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