GM Crops

Herefordshire Council and GM crops

Since December 2000 Herefordshire Council’s position on GM has been:

“The Council does not support the growing of GM commercial crops in the County of Herefordshire.  This policy will be reviewed in 5 years time or when the body of scientific evidence is deemed strong enough to allow for that and informed deliberation.”

In early 2003 public pressure led to the Council undertaking an interim review of its policy on GM. During the summer Herefordshire Partnership and the Council worked together to run an informative event in Hereford as part of the national ‘GMNation?’ debate. In addition, Councillors with a role in deciding policy were briefed on GM and developments since the Council’s policy was formulated and they received expert scientific presentations from both ADAS and the Soil Association.

Having looked at the current situation, the Cabinet Member for the Environment  decided in December 2003 to maintain the present stance that  "The Council continues not to support the growing of GM commercial crops in the County of Herefordshire" and that the programmed full review will take place in late 2005 or when deemed necessary.

The following actions have been taken:- 

• The prohibition on the growing of GM crops on Council owned land is incorporated into new farm tenancies.
• School Caterers have been informed of the Council’s policy on GM.
• Trading Standards have undertaken tests on honey from hives close to trial sites to look for the presence of genetically modified pollen. These proved negative: no GMOs were found.

The Council has also looked carefully at the proposal to declare the county as a GM free area. The Council’s view is that such a declaration would have no force in law. The Council will focus its efforts on areas where it has authority to act.

Last Updated: 11 August 06,
Review Date: 20 September 2005