Introduction
1. Scientists for Labour (SfL) was formed in 1995
and its primary function is to raise the profile of science and technology
within the political establishment. We aim to inform the Labour Party at
all levels on scientific issues and since 1995 have issued a series of
policy statements; the present government has taken many of these on board.
Our membership encompasses a wide range of scientific disciplines and we
are in a position to comment with some authority on many of the scientific
issues that have political implications.
| Acronyms used in this document: | |
| ACNP
ACRE AEBC BTO CGIAR COC CWS DEFRA DTI FSE GM GMO GMHT HGCA IFM IPM IPR LEAF NGO RSPB SfL WHO |
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes
Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Committee British Trust for Ornithology Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Committee on Carcinogens Cooperative Wholesale Society Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Department of Trade and Industry Farm Scale Evaluation Genetically Modified Genetically Modified Organism Genetically Modified Herbicide Tolerant Home-Grown Cereals Authority Integrated Farm Management Integrated Pest Management Intellectual Property Rights Linking Environment and Farming Non Governmental Organisation Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scientists for Labour World Health Organisation |
We recently organised a meeting (in co-operation with the Socialist Environment and Resources Association) asking ìCan a scientific approach make agriculture more sustainable? Contributions were made both by eminent scientists and by those concerned about the environmental implications of new technologies. The meeting was also addressed by the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mrs Margaret Beckett (see our website-http://www.scientists-for-labour.org.uk- for a summary of the proceedings). Following this meeting the government announced that DEFRA would be holding a public consultation on GM crops, and that the Cabinet Office would be carrying out an analysis of the costs and benefits of GM crops including the effects on conventional and organic farming. The following policy statement is our contribution to this debate.
This policy statement has been drawn up by members of the executive
of SfL who are scientists from academia or research institutes. None of
them is funded by the commercial sector. This publication has been resourced
entirely from SfL funds and these are derived from membership subscriptions.
Comments on the document can be made to Professor Willie Russell (wcr@st-andrews.ac.uk).
Information on SfL and on becoming a member can be obtained by consulting
our web site at http://www.scientists-for-labour.org.uk