A DECISION by West Devon councillors to adopt no formal policy on the future of GM crops in the borough has been criticised by a Tavistock community group.
The council voted this week to take no formal stance on the controversial issue of whether the area should become a GM-free zone.
Instead, it will encourage the public to take part in the national GM debate by contacting DEFRA directly.
Kevin Eadie, chairman of Tavistock Genetics Group, accused the council of ?passing the buck? by refusing to form a collective opinion on the matter.
He said: ?My initial reaction is one of disappointment. We have a government which doesn?t listen to the people and it?s a shame our local politicians are the same.
?I don?t see why they can?t follow the lead of several other local authorities and declare the borough a GM-free zone.
?By asking people to write to DEFRA they are asking people to waste their time, because the government won?t listen.?
Before the vote was taken at Tuesday?s meeting in Okehampton, Mr Eadie presented the council with a petition signed by people in Tavistock pannier market, calling for a GM-free borough.
He said: ?The people of this country are overwhelmingly opposed to the introduction of GM foods, and West Devon is no exception.?
He urged members to vote in favour of pursuing consultation through the council.
Responding to Mr Eadie?s comments, Cllr Ted Sherrell said: ?For this authority to spend time and money going into the ins and outs of this issue would be an expensive exercise in futility.?
Cllr Sherrell said GM foods was a debate best handled at national level.
David Incoll, the borough?s chief executive, said several members had recently attended a government-organised conference on GM foods in Taunton.
He said: ?GM foods has now become a national debate, and clearly many councillors feel it?s a very personal issue having heard the opinions of experts in the field.?
l The issues surrounding GM food will be discussed at a public meeting being held by Greenpeace, which takes place in West Devon next week.
Greenpeace is holding a public meeting a the King?s Arms, South Zeal on Wednesday, July 16, at 8pm.
Greenpeace is also holding its own GM-ometer polls to obtain the views of West Devon residents. The first of these will be on the organisation?s stand at this Saturday?s South West Lakes Woodfair at Roadford Reservoir.
The Government?s consultation period on the controversial issue of genetically-modified crops ends on July 18, so Greenpeace say it is important people have their say now.