GM protest at County Hall (From Western Telegraph)

GM protest at County Hall

Pembrokeshire County Council is to maintain its stance opposing the planting of genetically modified crops in the county, according to council leader Maurice Hughes. The comments came as Councillor Hughes was presented with a petition of almost 2,250 signatures by local campaigners and director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, Julian Rosser, at County Hall on Friday morning.

Cllr Hughes said: "In 2001, Pembrokeshire County Council came out against GM crops. I do not think any of the councillors have changed their position since that time. "Research certainly needs to continue, but so far it does not seem to be good for the future of GM crops."

However Cllr Hughes admitted there was little the county council could do to oppose the planting of crops in Pembrokeshire without the backing of the Assembly and national government.

Campaigner Alan Hemmings, from Rosebush, said: "We have almost 2,250 signatures and they are still coming in. There will be 80 petition sheets coming in and there are still 30 or 40 going around. The process is still happening.

"We are asking for councillors to exercise their rights under European law and actively protect the area from GM planting on specific grounds these include environmental and agricultural reasons. The words 'precautionary principle' sum up the object of the campaign.

Friends of the Earth has said the growing of GM oilseed rape in Wales, currently under consideration by the UK government, will almost certainly lead to widespread GM contamination of other crops.

Caption: Jane Hemmings, Cllr John Thomas, Alan Hemmings, Cllr Maurice Hughes, Julian Rosser and June Folder outside County Hall last Friday for the handover of the anit-GM crop pepition. PICTURE: Western Telegraph (WTNO1134H03).