GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS AND CONSUMER CHOICE

Early day motion 462, tabled 21 January 2004 by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative). Signed by 219 members.

That this House believes that whatever the outcome of debates on the risks and the merits of genetically modified crops and foods, consumers must be able to choose whether or not they eat GM crops, and farmers must have confidence that they will be reimbursed for any loss caused by the inadvertent spread of GM crops onto their land; further believes that to achieve this, all future GM crop trials and any other GM planting must be carried out according to rules which prevent conventional and organic crops being contaminated by GM traits; notes the European Commission decision that such rules are the responsibility of national parliaments, and so welcomes the introduction of the Genetically Modified Organisms Bill; and believes that the debates on this Bill should allow Parliament to determine science-based rules for any future planting of genetically modified organisms which will stop contamination and preserve consumer choice.

Signatures by party: Labour 102, Conservative 49, Liberal Democrat 46, Labour/Co-operative 6, Scottish National Party 4, DUP 3, Plaid Cymru 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, UUP 2, Independent 1, Independent Conservative 1.