TWO Early Day motions backing the Co-operative Group's stance on genetically modified crops have attracted the support of over 40 MPs.
A motion welcoming the Group's announcement that it is to ban GM food and ingredients from its stores and calling on other food producers and retailers to follow the Co-op's example was tabled by Mike Weir, SNP MP for Angus. Within a few days it had been signed by 14 members including representatives of the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish and Welsh nationalists as well as Labour.
A later EDM on similar lines proposed by Labour MP Alan Simpson congratulates the Co-op on its decision; recognises that it is in line with consumers and farmers' wishes and urges the Government and other supermarkets to follow the Co-op lead.
Labour/Co-op MPs Ken Purchase, David Taylor and Ian Davidson were among the 27 early signatories of Alan Simpson's EDM, while Mr Davidson and David Drew also supported the Weir motion.
Mr Weir commented: "The Co-operative Group have taken their decision on the strength of current scientific knowledge as well as the overwhelming opposition of their members.
"All businesses should follow such a precautionary approach and resist the blandishments of the GM producers – at least until such time as there is more knowledge and understanding of this technology."
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