To: All Councillors West Dorset District Council

1 September 2000

Dear Councillor,

Genetically Modified Crops in West Dorset - Council Debate 21 September

As you will be aware a debate on genetically modified crops in West Dorset is scheduled for a meeting of the full Council on 21st September. This follows our original approach to the Council in June to take action under the Planning Acts in relation to the trial crop of GM maize at Over Compton.

^{This subject is arguably the most important ever to have come before the Council because of the widespread and long-term implications arising from the proposed introduction of this technology into local agriculture and the environment.}

^{It is important to realise that there has already been a systematic deception of the public and their political representatives relating to the hazards associated with this technology which has operated on an international scale. We enclose a briefing paper [see: http://www.natural-law-party.org/key_issues/immediate_global_ban_of_gm_food.htm ] which provides further information on the way this deception has been carried out. It includes referenced details of the hazards which this deception has been designed to conceal.}

^{Failure by the government of the United Kingdom to act responsibly in this area has resulted in British citizens across the country now looking to local government to protect their interests in this matter, particularly where those interests relate to the quality of their health and the integrity of their environment.}

^{In the light of the information provided with this letter we hope you will appreciate that it is essential that West Dorset District Council takes a strong stand on this issue. This is vital in order to ensure that the proposed introduction of this technology in the district becomes a matter for local people to decide - rather than one which is imposed by central government in conjunction with powerful global industrial forces.}

^{It is essential that local government across the United Kingdom stands up to the authoritarian and negligent imposition of this technology on the British people by those who claim to represent us in Westminster and by those who advise them in Whitehall.}

^{You can be sure that a strong position on this subject taken by the Council will have the support of the vast majority of people in West Dorset and far beyond. In addition to the specific issue at stake a robust position will send a strong signal to the whole country that local government is an important institution whose relevance is not to be callously trampled upon by irresponsible centres of power and influence.}

^{Your participation in the debate on 21st September is important both to the nation as a whole and to the future well-being and economic survival of many farm businesses in Dorset. If this technology is allowed into the county immense damage to its reputation as a producer of high quality food and as the home of an exceptional environment will ensue. The damaging economic consequences alone are formidable - as has already been experienced by thousands of innocent farmers in the US (see enclosed article, Daily Express 25 Aug 2000). [ http://www.lineone.net/express/00/08/25/news/n3620-d.html ]}

^{It is essential for the future survival of a thriving agricultural sector in Dorset that both the district and county as a whole remains GM-Free, and it is essential that local government plays its role in securing this. It should not be frightened of doing so. In the words of Michael Meacher, Minister of State for the Environment: "Now, of course, if local authorities all over the country declared they didn't want it, then it probably would not be possible to go ahead." (BBC Radio 4 'Today Programme' interview on GM field-scale trials, 17 March 2000).}

^{If necessary West Dorset District Council should consider joining forces with those other local authorities across the country who have already indicated a willingness to act in this matter.}

^{I would be pleased to discuss this matter further with any councillor(s) at any mutually convenient time.}

^{Yours sincerely,}

^{Mark Griffiths BSc FRICS FAAV}

^{Regional Leader}

^{Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight}

^{P.S. We also enclose information on our original call two years ago for Dorset to be declared a GMO-Free Zone.}

^{=====================================================================================================}

^{(This also included)}

<sup>Council rebellions are also growing in the UK. It's time for local
government across the planet to stand up and tell national governments in
the pockets of biotech companies 'enough is enough' - either stop this
madness now or face the population in court.

NATURAL LAW PARTY WESSEX
nlpwessex@bigfoot.com
www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex
...............................................................................................................
8/31/00
Now it's Cleveland...
-------------------------------------------

(31 August - Cropchoice News)  --  American city councils are getting
downright ornery on biotech.  First it was George Bush's town of Austin,
Texas calling for GMO labels.  And there was Cargill's home turf,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, which recently did the same.  Not to be outdone,
Boulder, Colorado just banned GMOs from 15,000 acres of city-owned
farmland.

Now, Cropchoice has been sent a copy of a GMO labeling resolution recently
passed by the city council in Cleveland, Ohio.

Except for the Boulder action, the new resolutions don't have any legal
teeth &ndash they&rsquore just political documents.  But they are a pretty good
urban barometer on GMOs.  The most unexpected aspect of them may be the
geography.  You might have expected these resolutions coming from San
Francisco or New England; but instead they&rsquore from cities in middle of
America.

To get a taste, we&rsquove reprinted a copy of Cleveland City Council
resolution 1432-2000 below, passed by council on August 7th and signed
into law by the Mayor on the 17th.

----

RESOLUTION NO.  1432-2000

An Emergency Resolution

Urging the federal government to require labeling of genetically
manipulated foods and further urging a moratorium on the production of
such foods until acceptable testing systems are in place.

By:  Councilmember Brady

WHEREAS, genetically engineered foods have not yet been proven safe and
are not tested by any federal agency; and

WHEREAS, the Food and Drug Administration requires only that companies
producing such genetically engineered foods state, on the "honor system",
that such foods are safe with no further testing required; and

WHEREAS, a class action lawsuit has been brought against the Food and Drug
Administration to prevent it from continuing to rush such untested foods
on the market;

WHEREAS, numerous bioengineers and scientists have stated that the
technology of genetically engineered foods is clearly different from
traditional methods and could lead to a host of undesirable health and
environmental problems; and

WHEREAS, such technology further has potential negative effects in genetic
cross-pollination of beneficial plants, insects and other fragile
ecosystems;

WHEREAS, this resolution constitutes an emergency measure for the
immediate preservation of public peace, property, health or safety in that
it is essential that the public know and understand how the foods it
purchases are being produced and the possible health and environmental
risks of such production, now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLEVELAND:

Section 1.   That this Council urges the federal government to require
labeling of genetically manipulated foods and further urges a moratorium
on the production of such genetically manipulated foods until acceptable
testing systems are in place.

Section 2. That this resolution is hereby declared to be an emergency
measure and, provided it receives the affirmative vote of two-thirds of
all the members elected to Council, it shall take effect and be in force
immediately upon its adoption and approval by the Mayor; otherwise it
shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period
allowed by law.


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for non-commercial purposes and with appropriate credit.</sup>