JILL EVANS MEP 

PLAID CYMRU
the Party of Wales

no embargo - for immediate release

Glenys Kinnock slammed for betraying Wales in key vote

Plaid Cymru's Leader in the European Parliament Jill Evans MEP has criticised 
severely Labour MEP Glenys Kinnock for betraying the interests of the people 
of Wales in a key vote on GM crops. 
 
Euro-MPs meeting in Strasbourg were voting on the principle of allowing 
regions in Europe to rule on keeping themselves free of GM (genetically modified) 
crops. Plaid Euro-MPs voted in favour of the principle of GM free regions 
whilst Mrs Kinnock and UK Labour colleagues voted against. There has been massive 
opposition in Wales to GM crops with cross party support seeing the Welsh 
Assembly back the principle of keeping Wales GM free. 

Jill Evans MEP said: 

"I am appalled that Glenys Kinnock and other UK Labour MEPs should betray 
Wales in this cynical way. Mrs Kinnock and her Labour colleagues showed the most 
flagrant disregard for the interests of the Welsh people and for Welsh public 
opinion. Let us not forget that opinion polls consistently show massive public 
opposition to genetically modified crops in Wales. 
 
"Consumers want to know where their food has come from, how it's been 
produced and whether its free of GMs. It is a question of food safety and consumer 
rights and Mrs Kinnock's behaviour is a slap in the face for the Welsh people. 

"Our National Assembly has voted to keep Wales GM free but we lack the powers 
in Wales to fully implement this decision. So we are working at all levels to 
realise this - including in Europe. I am appalled by Mrs Kinnock's betrayal 
during the vote in parliament - she must explain her actions to the Welsh 
people who have consistently shown massive support for the principle of a GM free 
Wales. 
 
"Thankfully, her vote and those of her Labour colleagues weren't enough to 
defeat these proposals and we were able to get them through - no thanks to 
Labour's betrayal."

Jill Evans, who is deputy Leader of Plaid Cymru, represents the whole of 
Wales in the European Parliament.

  
Note: 

MEPs were voting on proposals to strengthen the "freedom of choice" in 
respect of GMOs for both consumers and farmers. Of particular relevance to Wales 
were points on the need for common, legally binding EU rules on co-existence, 
clear rules on liability, following the polluter-pays-principle, very low 
thresholds for labelling "adventitious and technically unavoidable" contamination of 
seeds with GM varieties and in particular the right of regions in the EU to 
declare themselves GM free. Plaid Cymru Euro-MPs Jill Evans and Eurig Wyn voted 
in favour whilst Labour MEPs including Glenys Kinnock voted against.  The 
proposals were adopted by an overwhelming majority.

 
diwedd/end                                                                    
19 December 2003