Bayer decision should mean end to GMs in the UK

3.04.32pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th Apr 2004

West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne has welcomed the decision by Bayer CropScience not to proceed with growing GM Maize in the UK.

Liz has long campaigned against the use of GM crops and is delighted that the Government's plans have been halted.

Speaking following last week's announcement the Liberal Democrat MEP said:

"This decision by Bayer now gives Ministers a chance to get it right on GMs. They gave the go ahead for GM Maize despite 5 years of consultation that failed to persuade a highly sceptical public.

"The Government should not have given the go-ahead for Chardon LL. Their decision to give conditional approval only for the next 2 years implied that there could be problems with the crop.

"The licence would then have been renewed in October 2006 if further evidence was provided, calling into question why it was acceptable for the crop to be grown next year. If there were so many difficulties, why did the Government ever give the go-ahead?

"It is surely time for Tony Blair to concede that GM crops are not wanted and not needed in the UK."

ENDS