RYEDALE councillors have agreed the district should become a "GM crop-free zone".

The decision last night followed a debate led by Coun John Clark, who said that Ryedale depended on its environment for its well-being - but added that his motion was "not anti-science nor anti-progress or for ever".

Coun Clark said: "We are saying we want more science before we risk our environment. GM companies are not liable if it goes wrong."

Coun Keith Knaggs said he supported the general principle of Ryedale being GM-free because he was concerned about contamination of organic crops. "Testing should be just as rigorous for GM as it is for drugs," he said.

Coun Brian Maud said there was insufficient evidence on the issue. "There are convincing stories by scientists on each side."

Ryedale should have a say over trial sites, said Coun Pamela Anderson. "We can't sit here and isolate ourselves," she told the council.

She believed that more thought was needed about a GM ban before it became council policy.

An amendment that there should be a public debate before a decision was made was lost.

The council agreed to ensure that no GM crops are grown on land over which the authority has control, that it should adopt a GM-free policy for all goods and services for which the council is responsible, and that it should consider each prospective GM marketing consent and where appropriate take up the issue with the government and the European Commission.

It also called on North Yorkshire County Council and health authorities to adopt a GM-free policy and local purchase policy for all schools, hospitals and similar establishments throughout Ryedale.

Updated: 11:04 Friday, June 27, 2003