Local councils seek ban on gm food - farmers weekly
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24 February 1999 LOCAL COUNCILS SEEK BAN ON GM FOOD _BY FWI STAFF_ GENETICALLY modified (GM) food could be banned by local authorities under recommendations being considered today
(Wednesday) by the Local Government Association. In an echo of their ban on British beef which followed the BSE crisis, many local councils are expected to impose a ban on GM food until
2004. The ban would mean that menus provided by schools, social services and nursing homes would be free from GM food, despite government assurances it is safe to eat The association, which
represents 450 authorities across England and Wales, is likely to approve the decision at a meeting of its public protection committee later today. The move would embarrass the government
because it would show that Labour councillors do not believe accept Tony Blairs assurances that GM food is safe. Just over a week ago, Downing Street stressed that the Prime Minister and his
family were quite happy to eat GM food. But it appears that councillors at more than 180 Labour-controlled local authorities think differently when it comes to their own children. Charles
Clarke, the junior education and employment minister, told Parliament on Tuesday the issue of GM food in school dinners was matter for individual councils. “Responsibility for determining
the content of school meals rests with local education authorities and the governing bodies of grant maintained schools,” he said in a written answer.