UK government conference enjoys GM-free picnic?

Former UK environment minister Michael Meacher is urging consumers to oppose US plans to use World Trade Organisation rules to force GM food and crops into the UK.

Looking for maximum publicity for their 'bite-back' campaign, the environmental group Friends of the Earth organised a GM-free picnic during the Labour party conference in Bournemouth this week.

Earlier this year the US administration launched a WTO complaint against Europe's de facto moratorium on GM crops and GM food imports. Friends of the Earth's Bite Back Campaign aims to collect thousands of on-line submissions to the WTO from people across the world demanding that it dismiss the US complaint.

Last week the UK government's GM public debate, GM Nation?, concluded that the majority of British people remain suspicious of GM food or crops.

"The results of the GM Public debate have clearly shown the strength of opposition to GM within the UK. The government must support the EU in defending this US challenge, and protect our right to choose GM-free food".​ said the ex-environment minister.

Michael Meacher - who lost his ministerial position in a cabinet reshuffle earlier this year - caused a storm in June this year when he said that studies on the effects of GM foods on human health had been "scientifically vacuous", and warned the government against rushing the debate.

His views were rapidly played down by the government and the head of the UK Foods Standards Agency (FSA) John Bell who at the time told the press that Mr Meacher was entitled to his opinion but the 'FSA relied on the advice of experts.'