1.Scottish Government supports global opposition to GMOs
2.Scottish Government wants no cultivation of GM crops in Scotland

EXTRACT: "Consumers in Scotland, the UK, Europe and across the world are opposed to GM. It is up to their Governments to listen to them and take action to keep GM at bay.

"We are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations who are opposed to GM and fight for what our people want." - Scotland's Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham (item 1)
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1.News Release - Cunningham Re-Affirms Scottish Government's Anti-GM Stance
24 April 2009
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/04/24150325

Consumers don't want genetically modified (GM) foods in their supermarkets and shops which is why Scotland must remain GM-free, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said today.

In a video address to the fifth international conference on GM-free regions in Europe, the new Environment Minister strongly re-affirmed the Scottish Government's anti-GM stance.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/04/24150325/Q/Video/548

Ms Cunningham told delegates that countries had a duty to adopt the democratic principle as well as the precautionary and preventative principles when it came to GM.

The Minister said:

"We know very little, if anything, about the long-term effects of growing GM crops. To take risks with our natural environment is wholly indefensible and irresponsible.

"When you consider our natural environment is worth around GBP17 million per year to the Scottish economy, we simply cannot afford to take risks with untested technologies.

"Consumers in Scotland, the UK, Europe and across the world are opposed to GM. It is up to their Governments to listen to them and take action to keep GM at bay.

"We are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations who are opposed to GM and fight for what our people want."

This is the fifth international conference of GM free regions in Europe. It is being held in Lucerne, Switzerland on April 24 and 25 and will focus on the issue of food and democracy.

The conference provides a forum for a series wide ranging discussions on the latest developments of interest to GMO-free regions such as GMO regulation in Europe, strategies for the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops and options for ensuring supply of GM-free products.

Recent public attitude surveys in Europe and America (including Harris and Gallup polls) found the majority were either apprehensive or opposed to GM.
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2."There should be no cultivation of GM crops in Scotland."

Scottish Parliament Written answers
Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Official Report source
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/pqa/wa-09/wa0422.htm

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will bring forward a public consultation on the coexistence of GM crops, in line with the intention of the Welsh Assembly Government. 

(S3W-22348)

Roseanna Cunningham: No. The Scottish Government policy is that there should be no cultivation of GM crops in Scotland.

Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will follow the Welsh Assembly Government in implementing the precautionary principle by seeking to establish the most effective legislation on GM crops that is compatible with EU and UK legislation. 

(S3W-22349)

Roseanna Cunningham: It is the Scottish Government's view that the precautionary principle precludes the cultivation of GM crops.