| NATURAL LAW
PARTY WESSEX Dorset, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Email:
nlpwessex@bigfoot.com |
75 Fairfield
Rd Tel: 01962 852122 |
NEWS RELEASE
Dorset GM Trial Crop triggers Government Challenge
NLP welcomes Greenpeace action as District Council prepares for debate
[Earlier Dorset Echo item on this story - click here]
Date:
15 August 2000
Dorset crop precipitates challenge to John Prescott
The request by the Wessex Natural Law Party submitted to West Dorset District Council in June seeking planning enforcement action against a field trial of genetically modified maize near Yeovil has resulted in Greenpeace issuing a formal challenge to the Deputy Prime Minister. John Prescott has been given 14 days to confirm that all future GM crop trials in the country will pass through the planning system as required by law or face the prospect of the matter being referred to the courts.
Welcoming these developments Wessex
Natural Law Party leader Mark Griffiths said:
"What has happened with the GM field trial in West
Dorset is proving to be of national significance. We have
challenged the legal advice given to West Dorset District
Council on this subject and our view has been confirmed
by lawyers advising Greenpeace. This alters the legal
landscape considerably and it means that the debate on
the subject due at the next full meeting of the Council
will take on special significance. This is probably the
most important subject ever to have come before the
Council because of the combined local and national
implications."
Motions to be debated on 21 September
At the Council meeting on 21 September two motions on the subject of GM crop trials in the county are being tabled by Liberal Democrat Councillor Steven Friar as a result of the legal points raised by the Natural Law Party. The motions are:
1. "That this Council urges the government to consult planning authorities before authorising trials of genetically modified crops in their areas until such time as it may be demonstrated conclusively that such trials will not corrupt the food chain or damage the environment."
2. "That this Council requires all proposals for GM trials in the West Dorset District Council Area to be submitted to the planning authority for formal approval."
Meanwhile Greepeace has informed the Government that it has until 24 August to confirm that it too recognises that the law requires applications for planning consent for GM crop trials to be made in the usual way. Otherwise it will face the prospect of an application for judicial review through the courts.
Foolish actions of Government
"When the Government's own actions are foolish and irresponsible the only recourse of the people is to take shelter in the justice system. Now is the time for West Dorset Councillors to show that they have more integrity than those who represent us in Westminster. The flow of money must not be the motive which is allowed to overwhelm the vital need to protect consumers and the environment", observed Mr Griffiths.
Notes for editors:
Details of the challenge submitted to John Prescott by Greenpeace are available at: http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/
The Natural Law Party is active in over 100 countries around the world including all 15 EU member states and is seeking a global ban on GM foods.
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 .
Mark Griffiths BSc FRICS FAAV can be contacted on 01962 852122 or at nlpwessex@bigfoot.com .
Download briefing paper on Chardon LL - the GM maize being grown at Over Compton - PDF format
Return
to NLP Wessex GM page
Will GM crops deliver
benefits to farmers? - some realities behind
biotechnology myths
GM crops a threat to future
viability of farming in Hampshire
Dorset farmers react in support of
NLP GM warnings
Dorset Farmers advised to avoid
GM Oilseed Rape
Natural Law Party campaign to ban genetically modified foods in Wessex
