Sticking a ''GM CONTAMINATED'' warning sticker on packets of vegetarian Beanfest in her local London supermarket recently, Shannon Coggins was arrested and charged with intention to cause public harm. Yet, at the hearing by Haringey magistrates she was cleared of the charge. And now the food manufacturer, Van den Bergh Foods, is being forced to remove the Vegetarian Society's logo of approval from its packs of Beanfeast and Vesta vegetable curry so long as they contain GM foods.
It's a move which will apply to all products which have previously enjoyed the Vegetarian society's stamp of approval as it announces its new policy on GM foods.
''We find unacceptable,'' says Chris Dessent, head of public affairs, ''any form of genetic engineering that has a detrimental effect on the environment, on the health of individuals or on the welfare of animals. Our new policy acknowledges that more research is needed into the potential long-term risks associated with the technology and that the development of GM foods brings into effect ethical issues which are a concern to vegetarians.
''The society believes an effective and compulsory labelling scheme must be introduced to ensure consumer choice over the consumption of GM foods.''
The society reckons it will take a year to clear the shelves of vegetarian products showing its logo and yet containing GM foods. As licences are renewed, the companies will have to agree to the GM-free rule. This will apply not just to the GM food which can be identified with testing, ie the protein which contains the altered DNA, but also the oil and lecithin which are derivatives of the soya bean.
So how will it know that unscrupulous manufacturers are not still using the oil and lecithin since they cannot be tested? ''We won't know definitely. But we work with many small companies whom we trust, and we are prepared to take their word for it.''
But what about multinationals? ''Well, we hope there will soon be testing which will distinguish between a GM and a non-GM oil and lecithin.''
Do you think the EU legislation is adequate then? ''It's a step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go. At least the UK Government are sticking out for a declaration by all caterers, at the point of sale, that they are using GM foods.'' I wonder how many of our top restaurants will be prepared to announce: ''Genetically modified foods included in the menu.''
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