IN SPITE of Prime Minister Tony Blair's apparent change of heart on GM crops, campaigners in the Wye Valley say some varieties are perilously close to being approved for growing.
"Genetically-modified herbicide-tolerant fodder maize is expected to be added to the National List of Agricultural Plant Seeds at the end of this month (February)," said spokesperson for the Wye Valley Food and Land Forum Clare Suart.
If the Government is sincere about being more cautious over letting the modified seeds in, will it now stop the process, they want to know?
She said the addition of the maize seeds to the national list would make it available for commercial growing despite the Government's own statement that their farmscale trials will not be complete for another three years.
"If they go on the list, the Government has very limited legal powers to prevent commercial growing and will be reliant on a voluntary agreement with the biotechnology industry.
"Once marketing consent has been given, the crops may be allowed to enter our food chain through animal feed.
"The ministry said this food would be part of an 'identity preserved' food chain and therefore labelled – but how this would work has not been explained. No system exists at present."
The Prime Minister said at the weekend that the Government was adopting a more cautious approach to genetically modified crops and conceded that some could have harmful effects on health and the environment.
Clare Suart said it appeared Mr Blair was "window dressing" and trying to get the issue to calm down.
The Forum says field trials planned for this year include spring and winter oilseed rape and fodder maize, and may include some sugar beet.
They urge all who are concerned over the issue to write to Agriculture Minister Nick Brown.