GM-CONTAMINATED MAIZE

Early day motion 782, tabled 24 May 2000 by Alan Simpson (Labour). Signed by 39 members.

That this House is alarmed to discover that up to 100,000 hectares of this year's maize crop in Europe may be subject to GM contamination; is concerned that this is on a larger scale than the recently admitted GM contamination of oilseed rape; believes it is grossly dishonest of the European seed industry and EU officials to respond by demanding a reversal of current European zero contamination rules rather than tackling the central issue of genetic pollution; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to follow Sweden and France in destroying GM-contaminated seeds and crops, to arrange compensation for farmers, to hold seed suppliers fully liable for contamination under the polluter pays principle, and to halt seed imports which lack comprehensive verification as being GM-free.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.