UK District Council Seeks

"to ensure that local democracy is immediately applied to the planting of these GM Crops"

Five Year Freeze Called For by 120 National Organisations and Companies

NLP Wessex 18mar01

The following motion was presented to a full meeting of West Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire 6 March. This District is faced with more GM trials than anywhere else in the UK:

"I therefore ask Mr Chairman, that at tonight's Full Council meeting, can we decide, as a matter of utmost urgency, to endeavour to arrange a delegation to meet with Mr Meacher, to discuss our concerns and to ensure that local democracy is immediately applied to the planting of these GM Crops?"

Proposed by Councillor Gary Fenwick (tel -mobile 0771 4801345, work -01673 843601), the resolution was carried unanimously. The council is now writing to UK environment minister Minister Michael Meacher requesting a meeting.

The action of the council is especially significant because:

1. Lincolnshire is the most productive arable area of the UK - it is England's 'bread basket'
2. The resolution was supported by all the farmer members of the council

This resolution coincides with the decision of Lincolnshire County Council to join the 'Five Year Freeze' campaign which is seeking a five year national moratorium on the growing of genetically engineered crops for any commercial purpose, imports of genetically engineered foods and farm crops, and on the patenting of genetic resources for food and farm crops.

Five Year Freeze is is supported by an alliance of 120 national organisations and companies who share the public's deep concern over the speed at which genetic engineering is being introduced into food and farming. For more information on how to get your local council to join it see: http://www.fiveyearfreeze.org/council.htm

NATURAL LAW PARTY WESSEX nlpwessex@bigfoot.com  www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex

QUESTION PURSUANT TO STANDING ORDER NO.8

"Mr Chairman

All of us here tonight will be aware that Lincolnshire, and more especially West Lindsey, is being targeted with more GM Crop trials than anywhere else in Great Britain. Last week the government announced another 12 trials for this County, 4 of those are with-in this District. As if that wasn't bad enough, more are to be announced later this month. This is in addition to a currently unknown amount of research and development trials for GM Crops - now being grown within this District.

This Council has gone to great lengths to inform the Government that we do not support these trials, starting off with my Motion of protestation in August 1999 and consistently receiving cross party, unanimous support ever since. Apart from the risks to both human and animal health, and the environment as a whole, it is now becoming clear that the planting of these crops could economically damage our farming industry, and therefore our community.

DETR have already stated that these experimental crops will get into the food chain - even though they are unapproved for human or animal food. The Government has admitted that no adequate provision has been made to ensure that neighbouring crops, either conventional or organic, are not cross pollinated or contaminated with GM material. British Sugar has a policy that rejects GM Crops, so why are the Government insisting on Sugar Beet trials!? It just doesn't make sense.

I am sure that we are all agreed, that as Members of the District Council, it is our duty to represent the views of the majority of the public, and that the majority of people living in West Lindsey have made it increasingly clear that they are utterly opposed to these trials and the risk they pose to our community.

We are all aware of the latest crisis to hit our farmers - foot and mouth disease - and that farms and the countryside itself, has been virtually closed down in an attempt to prevent this disease from spreading. Yet the Government have decided that these trials must still be planted. This means that the seed will be transported and delivered to dozens of farms across the country. The labourers, scientists and researchers will be moving around these farms to monitor and oversee the planting and growth of these crops. Not only that but incredibly, some of the selected farms are within the exclusion zones!! This is an utterly untenable, ludicrous and outright despicable act. Up until now this District has remained disease free - but for how long given this gross capitulation to those who stand to make the most from this technology.

It is my understanding that Michael Meacher recently commented, "Public consent was very important and that it must always be taken into account when considering where these crops should be planted".

This council has already sent letters to various Government departments asking for a moratorium on these trials and an engagement with the planning processes. The replies to these letters have been unsatisfactory.

I therefore ask Mr Chairman, that at tonight's Full Council meeting, can we decide, as a matter of utmost urgency, to endeavour to arrange a delegation to meet with Mr Meacher, to discuss our concerns and to ensure that local democracy is immediately applied to the planting of these GM Crops?

Councillor Gary Fenwick