Things to do
Location: Home Page
> What's New with LABB |
Learning Links & Glossary |
Things to do |
Resources list
If after examining the facts you would like to see better controls
over the development of GM, then the initiatives listed below may be of
interest. Please note that LABB does not necessarily endorse the opinions or presentations on any external website accessible by a link provided here.
- {NEW} An important public consultation is now open, on a UK Government proposal to deregulate 'gene edited' products i.e. exempt them from existing GM regulations. It is proposed to alter the current definition of 'genetic modification', to exclude 'gene editing'. If implemented, this would initially change only English law; however it would in effect apply throughout the UK, because of the Internal Market Act. As a result, gene edited foods would no longer be subject to GM safety assessment and product labelling. The consultation also has a separate section on the regulation of most GM organisms "in the longer term". Following 'Brexit' there is rising concern that control over areas such as trade, food and agriculture, originally devolved to the Scottish Government, will be overridden by the UK Government - which is keen to reduce regulation, potentially lowering standards.
- GM Freeze and Beyond GM have launched a petition - "Don't Hide What's Inside" - calling on UK Government Ministers and heads of Food Standards to retain and enforce the requirement to label food containing GM ingredients, now that Britain has left the European Union ('Brexit'). Further details here.
- GM Freeze is running a campaign - "Feed me the Truth" - that ranks supermarkets on their commitment to supporting and developing non-GM-fed animal products. Leaflets and an Action Guide are available, and supporters are encouraged to carry out imaginative in-store actions to highlight shortcomings.
"GM is still in the food chain, but not on the label. Genetically
modified crops still feed many of the animals we eat or use for eggs
and milk, and it is this “hidden” GM feed that is keeping the biotech
industry alive and profitable," said GM Freeze, "Customers need to keep up their pressure on supermarkets". GM Freeze explains the issue and how to write to your supermarket. Supermarkets need to be told there is no shortage of GM-free feed - see What's New: Local Interest.
- An analysis published by Friends of the Earth showed European GM regulations were under threat of being weakened by the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), which was at the time being negotiated between the European Union (EU) and the United States. Details were withheld from the public, and several NGOs (including Global Justice Now (WDM) and Greenpeace) opposed what they saw as an open door for business interests. There is more information here, but the situation has now changed somewhat. You may want to raise the issue with your MP (see below). See also Scotland Against TTIP for updates and ongoing actions.
- UK products from GM technology [early summary by GM Freeze]
"In 2003 Greenpeace produced a 13 page booklet listing hundreds of
products to help shoppers try to avoid buying GM foods. Since then
overwhelming public rejection has succeeded in forcing most of these
products off supermarket shelves or the replacement of the GM
components with non-GM. However, in recent months we have noticed a few
GM products for sale in UK supermarkets. We want to develop a new list
in order to help shoppers avoid these products and to help direct
pressure on supermarkets to stop selling them.
"If you find a product containing GM for sale in the UK, please send us:
- the name of the product
- the GM ingredient(s) concerned
- the name and address of the shop where you found it
- the date you saw the item for sale
- a photograph of the label stating the GM content if at all possible
- what, if anything, the store manager has to say in response to any complaint you make
"Many thanks for your help. As long as some supermarkets say they are
keeping an 'open mind' about GM, we need to help them understand that
their customers are still resolutely opposed." For details, see current list of products
- Weak surveillance and ignorance of the law are still allowing GM
products unlabelled into catering outlets (news Archive 7/4/08). All food outlets must by law provide clear information on any GM ingredients. A short guide "What's in your chips?" is available along with an editable campaign leaflet from GM Freeze.
- The sale of food from the offspring of cloned animals is now regarded as legal, but it is not to be labelled. Refer to 'What's New' for details. You may wish to raise this issue with your MP and MSP (see below).
- Write to your food supplier, MSP, MP or local councillor, outlining
in your own words any points of concern you may have. Find your local MSPs, or your local MP. Or you can find them and write using the website 'Write to Them'.
Include your postal address - it is always useful to write in
such a way that a reply is in order. Do not be surprised
if you receive an unsatisfactory response - many officials and elected
representatives have little time or inclination to explore the facts for themselves.
It is quite likely that you will receive a skilfully worded but very selective
reply - plan your letters accordingly.
- Letters to newspapers are also useful - keep them brief and
topical. Remember newspapers may have their own agenda. If possible
mention some hard facts, since the industry is trying to deny there are
any 'scientific' reasons to object to GM.
- Several recent news items affect UK consumers, and letters of concern to elected representatives continue to be appropriate, particularly (see Archive 10/12/12) since the UK Government continues to ignore mounting evidence of hazards and is now showing a reckless desire to dispense with regulatory safeguards, following Brexit. Some points worth raising are:
a summary of the dangers of GM crops & food: 'GMO Myths & Truths';
the approval of GM animals, pending (Archive 21/6/12);
contamination of food by unapproved GMOs (Archive 27/6/12);
outdated official information on animals fed GM products (Archive 31/7/12);
a ground-breaking long term toxicity study (Archive 19/9/12).
- GM Freeze also has a useful webpage kept up to date with suggestions for action, such as letters, petitions, etc.
- Support a campaigning organisation - there are several mentioned elsewhere on this website, particularly in GM Basics.
- Take some of LABB's posters or leaflets for your friends and local
shops. Subscribe to our free email GM news circulars (average about three or four
short items per week at present). Send your requests by email (see Home Page
).
Find Location Site Map