The Tories have increased pressure on the government to drop its opposition to plans to label genetically modified food. Responding to reports yesterday that cabinet ministers were concerned to "minimise the risks" of a US backlash on the issue, Tim Yeo, the shadow trade and industry secretary, said the government needed to back the rest of Europe on labelling.
Mr Yeo said he would write to Patricia Hewitt, the trade and industry secretary, calling on her to "confirm that in this area she will be on the side of consumers".
The move comes ahead of the national debate on GM crops, which launches tomorrow. Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, English Nature and other environmental and consumer groups are concerned by the proposed introduction of large-scale GM farming to the UK. Leading advocates of the technology include the US and UK governments and corporate biotechnology interests.
