Dartmoor National Park urged to become GM-free zone

DARTMOOR National Park Authority is being urged to join a long list of councils who have declared themselves GM -free zones.

An alliance of farmers organisations, environmental and food groups including Devon Food Links, Friends of the Earth and the Small Farms Association has written to chairman of the authority Bill Cann urging it to consider joining the anti-GM camp.

Dartmoor is a member of the Association of National Parks which has agreed to adopt a policy of resistance to the introduction of genetically modified crops but the alliance says the issue covers more than growth of these crops.

As a GM-free area, the authority would be able to ensure that none of the food served in schools or hospitals had genetically modified ingredients.

West Devon Borough Council together with Mid Devon and South Hams district councils have taken an anti-GM stance along with more than 30 local authorities across Britain.

Chairman of Dartmoor National Park Authority Bill Cann said at the moment the authority was taking the association?s line but would consider its position over the coming months.