COUNCILLORS are set decide whether to back a campaign to halt the development of genetically modified food at a meeting today (Thursday).

Members of the Environment Committee on Preston Borough Council, have been asked to support The Five Year Freeze Campaign, which already has the backing of 70 organisations, including many local authorities, and 80 MPs.

Organisers of the campaign say they are concerned that the government is allowing large scale crop trials without adequate research into the effects on farmland ecology first.

Campaigners also believe current safeguards are inadequate to prevent non-GM crops from becoming contaminated.

They are now calling for a compulsory five-year freeze to be placed on large scale field trial, commercial growing of GM crops, importation of GM farm crops and foods and the patenting of GM products used in food and crops.

Now they are calling on Preston's councillors to back their campaign in the hope the government will back down.

A campaign spokesman said: "We want to see smaller and more strictly controlled field trials and more extensive research carried out into the health and environmental implications, particularly for organic crops."

A council spokesman said: "Members are being asked whether the authority would wish to support this campaign.

"Members' concerns have already been voiced at both national and European parliamentary levels.

"And the council has hosted an open meeting where both side of the GM debate were presented by scientists and environmental campaigners to council staff, members and members of the public."

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