Protesters find their own ways to become involved in the government's 'flawed' debate
Throughout 2003 the Government sponsored a nationwide public debate on whether to allow GM crops to be grown in the UK.
Greenpeace believes the public debate process was severely flawed.
The process began in June with six regional debates. Greenpeace supporters were among the few people that actually attended. The poor turn-out was hardly surprising, given that the Government decided not to advertise the debates. Those who did attend were well informed - and equally critical of the process.
Despite the small attendance, the message from the debates was clear. The vast majority of the public do not want GM crops or food.
The Government may not even acknowledge any of the concerns raised. A final commercialisation decision will be made next year, after the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations have been considered.
Even though the Government's 'public' debates were obviously a stitch up, Greenpeace got involved, in a bid to get the 'public' back into the loop.
We did some polling of our own, and submitted our results to the GM Public Debate committee.
Together with the Co-op, Unilever and the Consumers Association, we funded the GM Jury project, allowing thirty people from diverse backgrounds to have their say on the growth of GM crops in the UK.
For more information, visit www.gmjury.org
For more information on the Government's GM public debate, visit:
The GM Science Review website
