WE STOPPED THE CROPS. DON’T GROW CHANGING IT
SNP minister Deal to leave the EU musn’t lead to end of ban in Scotland
Scotland’s opt- out on growing genet ical l y modified crops must be protected after Brexit, a senior Holyrood minister said yesterday.
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has written to UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove seeking assurances that EU opt-outs on the cultivation of GM crops will continue after the UK leaves the bloc.
The Scot t ish Government announced in 2015 that they would ban GM crops and request Scotland be exempted from European consents for their cultivation.
In the letter, Ewing says the opt-out is “extremely important” for Scotland’s food and drink industry.
He welcomed a commitment made by Gove in a speech last month that environmental protections would not be weakened after Brexit but raised concerns about its “caveats”.
Ewing’s letter goes on: “It is these caveats and the emphasis you place on science as being at the root of environmental policy, as opposed to evidence, that concern me.
“Science is indeed an important driver of innovation in delivering agricultural and environmental outcomes.
“However, there are many types of evidence, of which science is one, that are important to consider in any policy development, for example socio-economic evidence.
“I ask you to confirm that the GM opt- out provisions will continue to exist post-Brexit and that the UK Government will not attempt to impose the cultivation of GM crops on Scotland against our will.
“At the same time, it is vital that the labelling of GM food and feed products is not weakened so that consumers can exercise choice.”
Ewing also renewed cal ls for powers over agr iculture and env i ronmental pol icy to be transferred to Scotland after Brexit.
No GM crops a re g rown commercially in the UK but some GM commodities, such as soya used for animal feed, are imported.
A spokesman for environment depar tment Def ra said: “The Government’s view remains that policy and regulation of GM products should be science- based and proportionate.”
The Scottish Government’s GM ban has come in for criticism from their own former chief science adviser.
Professor Muffy Calder described the decision as “apocalyptic” and said it could threaten the food and drink industry, with Scottish crops left exposed to diseases which “could come and wipe us out”.
There have been numerous concerns about the future of our food once the UK leaves the EU.
Fears have been raised that chlorine- washed chicken and hormone-fed beef could be allowed into supermarkets and restaurants if the UK signs a post-Brexit trade deal with the US.
And the Sunday Mail last week revealed how a treaty with President Donald Trump could threaten Scotch whisky exports.
Under EU law, whisky produced or sold in Europe must be matured for at least three years.
American whisky aged for less time cannot be marketed using the name but US trade officials are likely to demand the UK relaxes its rules.
Yesterday, former Bank of England governor Mervyn King warned Britain needs to be better prepared for no deal on Brexit to show Brussels there was a “credible” alternative should negotiations fail.
He said more work was needed to show the EU that the UK is serious about walking away if there is no agreement.
I ask the UK Government to confirm they will not impose the cultivation of GM crops on Scotland against our will