COMMENT

THE present British government has set a good example in consulting with potentially interested parties before embarking on new legislation. It frequently produces preliminary documents setting out what is in its mind and invites comments from sections of the community likely to be affected. One of the biggest exercises of this kind started yesterday when the first consultative meeting on genetically-modified foods was held in Birmingham. Others will follow in Belfast, Glasgow, Harrogate, Swansea and Taunton. Because of shortage of funds those living in the sizeable catchment areas of London, Manchester and Newcastle will have to travel to one of the other centres to contribute to the debate, although the government is providing guidelines on how local groups can organise their own meetings. Consumer associations are criticising these arrangements as inadequte to cover all the interests and issues involved. But a limit of some kind has to be set and the pros and cons of genetically-modified crops and foods have been extensively exposed in the media over recent years. The government has to decide by later this year whether to yield to pressure from American growers and food manufacturers to let GM products into Britain or to side with the European Union which is opposed to the technology. The stakes are high and it is important that the government has access to the widest possible range of opinions to inform a decision that could have serious trade, economic and political consequences.