Statement on resignation of Helen Wallace from steering group

Thursday 27 May 2010

At its meeting today, the Steering Group for the Public Dialogue on 'Food: The Use of GM' expressed its regret at the decision of Dr Helen Wallace of GeneWatch to resign from its membership.

The steering group reiterated its view that it is committed to holding a well-balanced dialogue with members of the public about the issues surrounding food produced with the aid of genetic modification. This dialogue presumes no particular outcome.

The issues surrounding this topic are important to the future of agriculture and food production. Meanwhile, everyone has to assess the risks and benefits of the food they choose to eat. Consequently, the steering group believes it is important that members of the public are given the opportunity to participate in a dialogue in which the views and arguments expressed by a wide variety of stakeholders are aired and discussed.

The steering group's aim in conducting that dialogue is be to ensure that the issues, concerns and aspirations that the public have with respect to the use of genetic modification in the production of food are identified and recognised in future policy.