BioWorld International Correspondent

LONDON - The UK government launched GM Nation? - a national consultation on the future of genetically modified crops in Britain, at a meeting in Birmingham last week.

About 230 members of the public turned up to discuss issues such as: Are GM crops safe to eat? What systems do we need to regulate them? What are the environmental issues? What are the ethical aspects of GM crops?

At the end the attendees filled out questionnaires, which will be analyzed to build a picture of an informed public's view of GM crops. A report will then be submitted to the UK government by the end of September. The government has undertaken to give a written response and to take account of the outcome when it decides whether or not to allow the commercial planting of GM crops later this year, and in formulating GM policy in general.

The Birmingham meeting was the first of six public consultations that are due to take place in the next six weeks. The government has put in £500,000 (US$800,000) to fund the process, and claims that is the most extensive public consultation exercise ever undertaken.

Malcolm Grant, chairman of the program, said, "GM is one of the major issues facing Britain today - and now's the chance for people from every section of society to have their say."

The five-year standoff over the planting of GM crops in the UK and Europe means the debate has polarized, and the government says that has resulted in the general public not getting the information needed to take an informed view. But anti-GM groups such as Friends of the Earth believe the consultation is a public relations exercise and the government will ignore the conclusions.

Grant claimed that the consultation "represented a neutral process to deliver to government an honest appraisal of public opinion."

The UK debate is taking place against growing tension between the U.S. and Europe on trade in GM crops. The UK environment minister, Michael Meacher, told the television station Channel 4 that a decision on whether or not to lift the European Union moratorium on GM crops would be made in Brussels and not in London. But he added, "That is still consistent with giving the public a say." Meacher said EU-wide systems for labeling and traceability of GM produce will be in place by autumn.