United Kingdom

Updates + Overviews

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Scotland: Scottish Government Policy on Genetically Modified (GM) Crops

The Scottish Government is opposed to the cultivation of GM crops. The cultivation of GM crops could damage Scotland's rich environment and would threaten our reputation for producing high quality and natural foods. It would damage Scotland's image as a land of food and drink.

2 GMO-Free council areas: West Lothian and Moray

Wales: Weish Govenment Policy on Genetically modified organisms

The Welsh Government takes the most restrictive stance possible to Genetically Modified (GM) crops that is consistent with European and UK law. Our mission is to develop policies to underpin this stance, and to take them forward and convey them in both UK and EU arenas. European legislation governing the use of GM crops makes it clear that all forms of agriculture, be it conventional, organic or 'agriculture using genetically modified organisms' must be allowed to coexist within the EU. Consequently, a blanket ban on GM crop cultivation by the Assembly would be considered illegal. Wales is a founder member of GM Free Network of Regions, which was established by 10 European regions in 2003. The Network is now made up of 53 European Regions and local authorities. The Welsh Government sits on the Network's steering group. The role of the Network is to share information about the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops.  The Network is also trying to introduce GMO-free areas in Europe that are recognized by European law.

9 GMO-free County Councils: Caerphilly, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Swansea.

25 Community Councils: Blaenhonddan, Brecon Town Council, Coedffranc Community Council, Glyn Ceiriog Community Council, Felinfach Community Council, Gorslas Community Council, Halkyn Community Council, Haverfordwest Town Council, Llanarthne Community Council, Llanbedrog Community Council, Llanddaniel-Fab Community Council, Llandegla Community Council, Llandyfaelog Community Council, Llangattock Vibon Avel Community Council, Llangernyw Community Council, Llangynwyd Middle Community Council, Llannefydd Community Council, Machynlleth Community Council, Magor with Undy Community Council, Milford Haven Town Council, Neyland Town Council, Porthmadog Town Council, Rhyl Town Council, St Davids City Council, Ystrad Fflur Community Council.

The Welsh Assembly and the Highlands and Islands Region have adopted a GM-free policy. They signed the Florence Charter and are members of the European network of GMO-free regions

 

(Updated in June 2014 by Friends of the Earth England Wales and Northern Ireland)

 

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England: 

17 County councils: Cornwall, Cumbria, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, Herefordshire, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Shropshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Suffolk,

11 Unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset, Brighton and Hove City Council, Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire, York City Council, Bournemouth, East Riding of Yorkshire, Wokingham, Isle of Wight, Leeds, Medway,

3 Metropolitan districts: Newcastle, Dudley Metropolitan Borough council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

2 London boroughs: London Borough of Southwark, London Borough of Havering

16 District councils: South Hams (Devon), South Somerset, Penwith (SW), Ryedale, Chesterfield, Wealden (E Sussex), Mid Devon, Weymouth, West Lindsey, Colchester, Gravesham, West Dorset, Lewes, North Dorset, NE Derbyshire, Scarborough Borough Council,

7 Town/Parish councils: Bridport (Dorset), Norton Radstock (within Bath & NE Somerset), Goole (East Yorkshire), Edenthorpe Parish Council, Corscombe, Halstock & District (Cornwall), Stickney (Lincolnshire),

 

Other background information

GMO-free Britain, Kenneth Richter, Friends of the Earth, Berlin, January 2005
The Mid Devon District Council, England, Matthew Burgess, Councillor of Mid Devon District Council, Berlin, January 2005
GM-Crop Trials in the UK
GM Watch: Review of the GM issue in the UK in 2004
GM Watch: Review of the GM issue in Scotland 2004
GM Food Debate organized in 2003 by the Food Standards Agency
Consumer views of GM food, Food Standards Agency, July 2002
US Department of Agriculture: Annual Agricultural Biotech Report