UK Conservatives Attack Blair Over Biotech Crops
UK: March 23, 2005

LONDON - Gene-spliced crops would have no future under a Conservative-led government in Britain unless conclusively proved to be safe, the main opposition party said on Tuesday.
Shadow environment secretary Tim Yeo also blasted Prime Minister Tony Blair for his apparent backing of the controversial technology and ignoring persistent consumer fears about the safety of so-called "Frankenstein foods". The move comes just a day after a four-year 5.5 million-pound ($9.5 million) goverment-sponsored trial of genetically modified (GMO) crops showed they could have detrimental effects on the environment.
"I think the signs show that we still do not fully understand what the effect of commercial plantings of GM crops would be, although I don't share the same concerns that some people stress about human health," Yeo told reporters.
Launching the party's rural affairs manifesto ahead of an expected May 5 election, Yeo said a Conservative government would would ban outright the gene-spliced varieties until it can be proved they pose no threat to the environment.
"Our position is very different from Labour. It was them who authorised the first planting of GM maize. Although it's not taken place and the company involved has decided not to go ahead, it was their policy. It is not our policy," Yeo said.
"And we do know that Tony Blair has been very keen to encourage the growing of GM crops in this country," he added.
Britain gave biotech giant Bayer Cropscience a conditional approval to market GMO maize seeds after studies showed they posed no threat to wildlife, but the German-based firm dropped the plan, saying it was "economically unviable".
In addition, the Conservative Party said it would boost environmentally friendly transport fuels like biodiesel and bioethanol, issue licences to cull badgers in areas most affected by the cattle disease bovine tuberculosis (TB) and ensure more affordable housing in rural areas.

REUTERS NEWS SERVICE