EURO COURT RULES AGAINST SECRETIVE GM CROPS

For Immediate Release - Wednesday 18th February 2009

Attn: NEWSDESKS
ENVIRONMENT CORRESPONDENTS

SNP Highlands & Islands MSP Rob Gibson has hailed a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling against the secretive planting of GM crops.

The ECJ said in its decision: "The right of public access to information applies to releases of genetically modified organisms...The information relating to the location of the release can in no case be kept confidential."

Commenting on the ruling Mr Gibson, who campaigned against GM test crops in Munlochy in the Highlands, said:

"Today's news sends a clear signal that GM crops cannot be planted behind our backs or done so in secret to avoid public scrutiny.

"Already the UK government has suggested secret trials. This ECJ ruling stops Gordon Brown's GM friendly policies in their tracks."

"The public across Europe makes it clear they have a deep mistrust of GM food. It's time producers responded and the UK government called off unwanted GM trails of products that fail productivity and sustainability tests wherever they have been planted.

"Scotland wants none of it and I'm glad the SNP Government is taking a firm stand. Now the ECJ has added its voice to stop the biotech companies planting GM crops without public knowledge. They must now face the glare of publicity."

ENDS

Notes:

More details on the decision can be read here:

http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,4036841,00.html