Europe to say GM food can be labelled as organic

Brussels is to allow genetically modified food to be sold as organic produce. Yesterday campaigners accused Europe of putting the interests of the GM industry above those of consumers and organic farmers. They fear the move would be a severe blow to the Ł1.2billion-a-year organic market - where sales have doubled in five years. A draft directive from the European Commission says that CM contamination of organic crops should be allowed up to a threshold of 0.9 per cent. Any food within those margins could therefore be sold as organic. Anti- GM groups say this would deny consumers the right to buy truly organic food. They also fear that GM crops would be allowed to grow over a much wider area that at present as the danger of cross-contamination would be diminished. The GM Freeze campaign, a group of community and green groups ranging from the Women's Institute to Friends of the Earth, criticised the EU directive last night. Director Pete Riley said: 'The proposal from the European Commission is a thin end of a wedge which will allow the creeping contamination of organic food across Europe. 'Instead of standing up for European food consumers the Commission has given into biotech industry lobbying. By allowing GM contamination of organic foods the Commission will damage the thriving organic sector in the interests of an industry unable to find a market.' Conservative environment and rural affairs spokesman, Peter Ainsworth MP, said: 'This draft directive would seem to drive a coach and horses through the whole question of choice. It is a total disgrace. 'People who buy organic food want just that, not organic food with a bit of GM in it. Once you have permitted a degree of contamination, where does it end. Either something is organic or it isn't.' Mr Ainsworth added: 'The UK should use its influence to ensure this draft regulation is overturned. 'The Government claims to be a supporter of organic food and farming. 1 don't think you could seriously make that claim and, at the same time, turn a blind eye to the fact they may be contaminated with GM. 'If the Government is genuine in its support for organic, it needs to take a very firm line of Opposition to this directive. We need a policy of zero tolerance towards GM contamination in order to protect the integrity of organic farmers. 'You can't have a bit of GM in organic food in the same way you can't be a little bit pregnant.' Tory leader David Cameron will be outlining his green credentials tonight in London at an event marking the opening of the annual conference of the Soil Association, which sets organic farming standards. The association has been one of the fiercest critics of GM agriculture. By contrast Tony Blair, who professes support for organic farming has consistently refused requests to speak at Soil Association events. Mr Cameron has also appointed Zac Goldsmith, editor of The Ecologist and a fierce critic of GM, to his environment policy group. Director of the Soil Association, Patrick Holden said: '1 get the Impression he is genuinely and seriously supportive of the philosophy and cause of sustainable agriculture.' "Source":[ http://www.checkbiotech.org/root/index.cfm?fuseaction=news&doc_id=11960&start=1&control=164&page_start=1&page_nr=101&pg=1].

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