Strategy Unit Homepage

Main navigation

Strategy Unit publishes GM Crops scoping note (25/9/2004)

The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit (SU) today published its scoping note for a study on the overall costs and benefits associated with the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in the UK.

Announced on July 26 by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Margaret Beckett, the study will feed into the wider public debate on GM issues that is being organised by an independent steering board including members of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC).

The scoping note is available on the SU website (www.strategy.gov.uk). The SU invites comments on the scoping note and responses to the questions and issues raised. These should be sent by 5pm on Friday 25 October to: GM Crops Team, Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, Cabinet Office, 4th Floor Admiralty Arch, The Mall, London, SW1A 2WH. Or by email to: GMCrops@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

All submissions will be published on the SU website.

Notes for editors

1. The study - which forms part of a public dialogue on GM issues - was announced on 26 July 2002 and should be completed by Spring 2003.
2. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs news release announcing the public dialogue on GM issues is available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/debate/index.htm.
3. The Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC) website contains further information on the public debate, available at (www.aebc.gov.uk/aebc/public_attitudes_debate.html).

Cabinet Office Press Office
70 Whitehall
LONDON SW1A 2AS

Tel: 020 7276 1203
Fax: 020 7276 0618

Out of hours telephone 07699 113300 and ask for pager number 721338.

Cabinet Office press notices are available on the World Wide Web:
http://www.nds.coi.gov.uk/coi/coipress.nsf