ORGANIC FOOD

Early day motion 846, tabled 20 July 1999 by Helen Clark (Labour). Signed by 62 members.

That this House notes that a recent survey found 73 per cent. of the British public to be in favour of protection for organic foods; further notes that organic farming meets all agriculture policy objectives; welcomes Government expansion of the remit of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment to look at indirect and cumulative effects of genetically modified crops as well as the direct effects; and calls on the Government to develop a programme of support and long-term investment for organic farming, to introduce statutory measures to further protect the status of organic foods and to defend this policy in world trade discussions.

Signatures by party: Labour 39, Liberal Democrat 17, Labour/Co-operative 4, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.