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.

He said later: ?Everyone has views and a lot of people are concerned about GM crops, but it?s not really an issue within the remit of a local council.

?In a list of priorities for a council such as West Devon, the GM crops issue has to be low down. Things like local services and affordable housing are far more important to local people.?

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.?

The government has set up a website dedicated to the GM debate at http://www.gmnation.org">www.gmnation.org