From Western Mail education news

Greenpeace strikes out against GM milk

Mar 8 2005

Tomos Livingstone
 
Greenpeace today launched a Wales-wide ballot on genetically-modified 
milk by parking a milk-float outside the Welsh Assembly.

The group wants to draw attention to what it calls "the last loophole" 
in GM food regulations. It alleges some supermarkets stock milk 
produced by cows fed on imported GM feed.

Today Greenpeace challenged to the public and Assembly Members to vote 
on whether they wanted GM milk in shops.

The Assembly has consistently taken a strong line against the growing 
of GM crops until so-called co-existence measures are in place.

Ministers in Cardiff Bay say any deal to grow GM crops in the UK 
requires the agreement of all devolved bodies, effectively giving the 
Assembly and the Scottish Executive the power of veto.

Politicians, staff and members of the public arriving at the Assembly 
were handed small cards in Welsh and English asking: "Do you want to 
drink GM milk?" They were asked to tick a yes or no box.

Greenpeace GM campaigner Ben Ayliffe said: "It's the last loophole for 
GM coming into the UK. We're hoping to get some political clout behind 
the campaign and we're taking our milk float around Wales to see if 
people want GM milk."

The first AM to vote in the ballot, Plaid Cymru AM Alun Ffred Jones, 
said: "This is an extremely important in the context of people's 
health, and the Assembly has taken a strong stance. I am very worried 
about the situation in Europe; it seems to me that the EU and the UK 
Government are moving more towards accepting GM foods.

"It seems to me that the opinion polls are clear that people don't 
trust the idea of playing around with their food."

Labour AM Leighton Andrews said he would discuss the issue with the 
protesters.

"I think this is another recognition of the role of the Assembly in 
shaping policy," he said.