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GM CROPS: THE WELSH ASSEMBLY HAS LED, THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT MUST FOLLOW
GREEN MSP MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release 18 March 2008

Greens today put down a motion at Holyrood (1) calling on Scottish Ministers to follow the approach of the Welsh Assembly Government to GM crops, and welcoming their proposals, published today, which would bring in full liability for all GM crop producers. (2) These plans, which are backed by the Farmers' Union of Wales and by environmental campaigners, would ensure that GM companies would have to bear the costs of any environmental or economic damage their crops cause, such as contamination of either organic or conventional produce.

Robin Harper MSP said:

'The science clearly shows the failings of GM crops, which bring nothing but risk for Scotland's farmers and corporate control for our food chain. Scottish legislation must now be extended beyond the moratorium to make GM companies fully liable for any problems their unwelcome crops bring.'

Notes

1. GM Crops ”” That the Parliament welcomes the proposals by the Welsh Assembly Government to make producers of genetically modified crops fully liable for any damage these crops cause; believes that this policy will in effect amount to a complete ban on the planting of genetically modified crops because of the significant scientific uncertainty about the associated risks; notes the support this move has received from the Farmers' Union of Wales as well as from the RSPB and other environmental organisations; further notes the decision by Scottish Ministers to continue with a moratorium on the planting of genetically modified crops, and calls on Scottish Ministers to go further and adopt the same type of full liability approach proposed in Wales.

2. See today's Western Mail: http://tinyurl.com/2ofbrx <http://tinyurl.com/2ofbrx>

James Mackenzie
Media and Communications
Scottish Green MSPs
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Tel: 0131 348 6360
Mob: 0790 99 33 074
Fax: 0131 348 5972