A MOTION seeking to make West Devon a GM-free zone was overturned by borough councillors last week in favour of a public consultation on the issue.
Farmers, consumers and other ?stake-holders? in West Devon will be asked for their opinions on the controversial subject of GM crops, after members backed an amendment resolving to include the public in the Government?s recently-announced national debate.
The amendment was presented by Cllr Dick Eberlie at last week?s full council meeting. He said a proper debate was essential before rushing into a decision.
Cllr Eberlie said: ?There are large potential benefits, not just to our farmers but also to Third World countries where people are
starving.
?It?s important to remember that there are enormous advantages to growing these kinds of crops, and the EU legislation controlling their growth is very tough.?
Councillors voted by 14 to seven for the amendment, which replaced a previous motion put forward by Cllr Nicholas Waterhouse calling for West Devon to be excluded from plans to introduce GM crops to the UK.
Cllr Waterhouse?s motion stated the introduction of GM crops was capable of ?inflicting severe damage on the reputation and marketability of the borough?s agricultural and horticultural output?.
It said modified genetic material could enter the food chain if seed and pollen from GM crops spread to normal crops.
Cllr Waterhouse said: ?This is nothing to do with whether GM food is a good thing or not. It?s about the effects of GM on the economy and lifestyle of West Devon.
?There are just too many uncertainties in this for me. All the experts said nobody wanted this stuff themselves and the best evidence is that, in the supermarkets, you won?t find anything that admits to being genetically modified.
?The views of the majority of people are quite clearly that they don?t want it.?
Cllr Peter Hill said the amendment was a ?fine opportunity to go out to the people and ask what they want?.
He said: ?The only way we?ve progressed over the centuries is through experimenting with new ideas, and we have to admit that we have all benefited from it.
?It?s a dangerous thing and will continue to be so, but is the answer to exclude West Devon from this experiment? We are always being accused of taking decisions without consulting the community, and here is an ideal opportunity to be inclusive.?
l Cllr Dick Eberlie (Con) is seeking re-election in the Tavistock North ward at the May 1 elections to West Devon Borough Council. Also standing in the ward are Roy Connelly (Lib Dem), Peter Jones (Lib Dem), Caroline Keane (Ind), Martin Quinn (Green), Jane Ramsey (Con), David Stapleton (Lib Dem), and Shaun Watchorn (Con).
Cllr Nicholas Waterhouse (Lib Dem) is seeking election in the Milton Ford ward of West Devon Borough Council. Also standing in the ward are Dilwyn Hughes (Con) and Michael Pithouse (Ind).