Dear Minister Hilary Benn,

Commission President Barroso and Health Commissioner Dalli just approved the cultivation of a genetically modified crop (GM) in the EU for the first time in 12 years. Their decision poses unacceptable risks to our health and the environment. I ask you to protect my food from GM crops.

The European Commission has chosen to ignore safety concerns as well as the will of European and British citizens. This latest move indicates to me that the EU Commission puts industry's profits first instead of fulfilling its higher duties to protect European citizens.

The current system of assessing GM food and crops does not work. In December 2008 all EU member states unanimously concluded that EU laws on GM crops are not implemented properly by the Commission and the current GM risk assessment must be improved. The Commission cannot be allowed to grant authorisations of GM crops until these essential legal requirements are properly implemented. I am calling for a moratorium on all approvals of GM foods and crops and therefore ask you to categorically vote on behalf of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.against any further approvals proposed by the European Commission.

The risks GM crops pose to human and animal health and the environment have not been sufficiently assessed. Negative economic and social impacts of GM crops on our societies are ignored. I want a future without GMOs and with diversity in farming to guarantee healthy food for all of us. Please ensure that people, farmers and the environment are fully protected from GM crops and that our right to GM-free food and farming is respected by the European Commission.

Sincerely,