FIVE YEAR FREEZE REPORT

Early day motion 499, tabled 29 November 2001 by Alan Simpson (Labour). Signed by 70 members.

That this House welcomes the audit of government policy on genetically-modified farm crops and food published by the Five Year Freeze; notes that current policies fail to address the many outstanding scientific, ethical, social and economic issues raised by the introduction of GM technology into the food chain; and calls upon the Government to introduce a freeze on the growing of genetically-modified crops in the United Kingdom until such time that a comprehensive assessment of research needs, that is both independent and public, has been carried out and acted upon particularly taking into consideration the impact of GM on the future of United Kingdom agriculture and until such a time that effective regulatory procedures are in place in compliance with current European Commission proposals on traceability, labelling and liability.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 25, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.