Growing Madness

Dr Sue Mayer called for a 5 year ban on commercial production and importation of GM crops to allow more extensive testing and consultation, supporting experimentation in conditions which prevent irretrievable environmental damage. It is clear that the situation is complex and there are more questions than answers at this stage.

GM companies which have invested heavily in this technology suggest adequate controls and safeguards are in place, whilst dissenting voices including those of English Nature, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Friends of the Earth claim they are not - the Government's Chief Scientist, Robert May has stated 'we need to know more than we do at present'. There is anxiety about the effects of GMs on biodiversity everywhere, and the morality basis of genetic "ownership" for private profit rather than public interest, and of gene technology and its effects.

"Substantial equivalents" testing has been adopted by the government: this means the biochemical, chemical and nutritional properties of GM are compared with those of conventional foods. These tests specifically are not designed to examine for the unexpected - small changes are assumed to be insignificant, and foods are considered individually, thereby ignoring additive and accumulative effects. Labelling, to allow specific gene trails to be detected, is considered unnecessary so that in effect there is no way of tracing longer term changes. Environmental considerations are limited, not reflecting the complexity of the real situation in nature. Farm scale trials are designed to investigate the effects of GM herbicide tolerate crops (oilseed rape, forage maize and sugar beet) on biodiversity. In most trials, effects on incest populations, weed abundance and diversity are assessed for a year, although in the UK, sites will be assessed for 3 years to consider wider ecological impacts. This time is short, furthermore, the individual farmer's behaviour, how he uses the crops and herbicides in practice, and their impact on higher birds and mammals, or on the extended food web, are also not included. There are no specific evaluations of the effects of GMs in animal feed although it may be quite inadequate or inappropriate to extrapolate from human results partly because of the animals' different physiology and partly because the proportion of GM foods in the animal diet may be very high.

The public is sceptical about longer term repercussions of this technology, distrusts the motives behind it, questions its justification, wonders whether current regulations can protect public interest, and is concerned about the lack of public consultation throughout.

That'll be Dee Day

Wirral Green Alliance are organising a Dee Day celebration. We'll be landing on the beaches of Thurstaston, to hold our one day conference to raise public awareness of the "Past Present and Future of River Dee" - looking at its history, wildlife, and impact on the people of Wirral. The day will feature a talk on the history of the river by our very own Jim O'Neil, a look at the wildlife who call the river its home, and a demonstration upon how the water is treated and tested.

There will also be an opportunity to have your say on the future of the river, and the chance to look at photos, art and displays concerning the river. Lunch will be provided, accompanied by entertainment. The event costs £3, and will be held at Wirral Country Park visitors centre in Thursaston on Saturday 10th of June, 2 days after World Ocean Day. Bookings can be made at The Centre for Sustainable Living on 666 2221. Be there, and make sure that we'll meet again.

Dee Estuary website: www.deeestuary.freeserve.co.uk

RiVa 2005: Activities and achievements in 1999

John Magee, who represents Wirral Wildlife on the RiVa 2005 Steering and Dibbinsdale working groups, has been awarded the Mersey Basin Trust Kingfisher Award for his outstanding contribution, both by direct support of RiVa 2005 and also by his work as a Wirral Wildlife Trust Reserves Manager on sites in the upper reaches of Dibbinsdale Brook, to the work of the Mersey Basin Campaign River Prize: The Mersey Basin Campaign has won the inaugural international River Prize, awarded by the National River Symposium in Australia.

Wirral SATRO has awarded RiVa 2005 a certificate in recognition of work with schools in 1998/99. BNFL Landfill Tax-Funded projects: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Alan Meale, MP, visited Rivacre Valley LNR as part of the Mersey Basin Campaign Conference in May to see some of this project work. The visit was a high profile event, attracting good publicity for RiVa 2005.

Princes Trust and Community Volunteers helped the Rangers to erect a stream dipping platform, for use by school groups visiting the reserve, and also helped make and erect 2 'viewpoint' seats. A further viewpoint bench was created by local sculptor, Paul Noon, working with pupils from Sutton High School. They carved examples of local wildlife into a 3m oak log donated by Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust has carried out a public consultation and drawn up a management plan for creating shallow pond scrapes in the wetland area to improve the diversity of the river valley habitat. Education pack: an educational pack based on the animals, plants and natural features in Rivacre valley LNR is being produced by Cheshire Wildlife Trust with the help of Rivacre Valley Rangers.

Signs for Arrowe and Greasby Brooks have been produced and the paths are being surveyed by Wirral Footpath & Open Spaces Preservation Society to assess whether any extra mounting posts are needed. Other projects RiVa 2005 is currently involved with include the Save the Lake campaign, the Waterside Adoption Development Group.

Member wins Environmental 'Oscar'

At the recent Merseyside 21 Awards, Wirral Green Alliance member the Very Efficient Heating Company won a Special commendation for innovation in the use of energy technology. The award, set up by local councils and Groundwork Trusts, was specifically for solar water heating at Simon O'Brien's 'Hub' Cycle Cafe in Liverpool and Bellevue Adventure Playground,

"This is wonderful recognition for a Wirral company in the field of renewable energy," said proprietor Chris Laughton. "I am delighted."

Chris is at the cutting edge of clean energy generation. He has appeared on television and radio many times and has recently donated a groundbreaking exhibit to the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales.

Locally, Chris has supplied solar systems to many private residences and he is also responsible for the solar hotplates demonstration at Dibbinsdale Environment Centre and the windmills and solar fountains which are normally displayed at Wirral Green Fayre. He can be contacted on 606 0207.

Wirral Green Alliance is a local charity which represents green groups, businesses and individuals. Contact them at the Centre for Sustainable Living on 666 2221.

Merseyside 21 Awards Successes

WGA member Solar Design Company were highly recommended in the recent Merseyside 21 Awards. The company, who design, install and maintain ene