Leading anti-GM campaigner Jill Evans MEP has welcomed the announcement that German company Bayer Crop Science is to abandon its plans to grow a particular type of GM (genetically modified) crop in the UK. This move deals a severe blow to plans to grow GM crops commercially in the UK and sees the commercial cultivation of GM crops put on hold for the foreseeable future.

But Ms Evans, the Plaid Cymru Deputy Leader, has warned against complacency in the campaign to prevent GM crops contaminating the environment.

Jill Evans MEP said:

"Today's announcement on GM crops is a victory for the anti-GM movement and the public opinion that we've mobilised. Public opposition to the commercial growing of GM crops has been massive and I believe that this announcement today is a real victory for people power. People are very clear that they don't want their food contaminated by GMs.

"But we have to be on our guard. We must remember that what has happened today has been a commercial decision by a private company for commercial reasons. Nothing has changed in the legal framework that governs the use of GMOs. The UK Government can still give the go-ahead for other companies to grow GM crops if it wants. This is despite the massive public opposition.

"Today's announcement is welcome but the anti GM campaign is still a long way from putting a final stop on the commercial growing of GM crops. For that to happen we need changes the Assembly Government to start heeding the wishes of the people. We've seen what we can achieve through effective united campaigning - our challenge now is getting a complete ban on all commercial growing of GM crops."

Note: German Company Bayer CropScience was given the go-ahead earlier this month to cultivate a herbicide resistant GM maize crop known as Chardon LL. But the company announced today that it has decided not to proceed with growing the crop saying that government constraints make it economically unviable.

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