GM Dialogue Steering Group members announced

Monday 16 November 2009

The FSA has set up an independent steering group to shape and manage the forthcoming consumer dialogue work on genetic modification (GM) in food that the Agency has been asked to lead on, on behalf of the Government. The steering group includes stakeholders with a variety of expertise and with differing views on GM.

Professor John Curtice of the University of Strathclyde will chair the group.

The steering group members are:

• Dr Guy Barker
• Garth Boyd
• Professor Ian Crute
• Alan Hedges
• Lindsey Kearton
• Paul Rooke
• Professor Geraldine Schofield
• Dr Jack Stilgoe
• Professor Joyce Tait
• Dr Helen Wallace
• Professor Brian Wynne

Biographies for the members of this group can be found, via the link below, on the GM Dialogue Steering Group section of this site, along with further information about the project.

The steering group will hold its first meeting on 25–26 November. The FSA is committed to its policy of openness and transparency and will publish minutes and updates from these meetings, along with the steering group’s terms of reference.

The GM Dialogue will provide an opportunity to discuss with consumers their understanding of GM and what they think it might bring in terms of risks and benefits. It will also explore how people can be helped to make informed choices about the food they eat. It is anticipated that the project will take around 12 months.

The FSA is committed to representing the interests of UK consumers and, while this work will not directly change UK Government policy, it will help to inform future discussions in this area.