County Council Free Vote on GM Free Zone

Cumbria County Councillors will debate whether Cumbria should be declared a GM free county when it meets on 24 July. The Council's Cabinet today recommended that there should be a free vote on the issue to ensure an open debate. 

Earlier the Cabinet had considered a detailed report on the issue and heard from Jill Perry, Friends of the Earth, (West Cumbria) who have lobbed the Council to declare Cumbria a GM free county. Rex Toft, Leader of Cumbria County Council says, 

"It is clear that this is an issue on which there will be a wide range of views. All views must be heard when the Council debates the GM issue later in the month. That's why Cabinet has asked all political groups to have a free vote. 

In addition, Cabinet asked that a detailed report be produced covering all aspects of the debate including the County Council's legal position as a landowner. We also asked that a draft motion be produced that would meet, as far as possible, the request by Friends of the Earth, for Cumbria to be a GM free county, whilst ensuring the Council does not operate outside of its legal restrictions. That will give Councillors a clear indication of what the Council can and can't do, enabling them to have a full and detailed debate."