DESPITE recent publicity, the issue of genetically-modified foods is worse than most people seem to realise.

The current huge public pressure to ban or restrict Frankenstein foods is doomed to failure - thanks to the 'free trade' legislation voted in by Labour, Tory and LibDem politicians.

Recently there have been disturbing examples of companies overturning government policies by suing under 'free trade' laws.

Unfortunately, electorates are now powerless to force their governments to ban GM foods, unless they are prepared to defy the World Trade Organisation and the EU.

So, however much noise the public and the press make about GM foods and however many trial crops are torn up by activists, Tony Blair's hands are tied.

Indeed, he's tied them himself. Democracy has been subverted by the power which politicians have voted away to transnational corporations.

The Euro-elections this June offer the chance to challenge this lunacy. People can vote to reclaim democracy.

This means voting Green. Anyway, why would anyone want to elect a politician who would promptly hand power over to the transnationals the way Tory, Labour and LibDem politicians have done?

John Whitelegg (Prof)

North West Green Party PEPC

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.