A national debate has been launched on whether genetically modified crops should be grown commercially in Britain.

Forum Response: National Consumer Council

A spokeswoman for the NCC told ePolitix.com: "Research shows that nearly six in ten people think the government has handled decision-making on GM issues poorly, with the same number expressing concerns about the use of GM in food production. So, we welcome the GM debate.

"But it is essential that this is a genuine and credible debate with people's views and concerns about GM crops understood, valued and taken into account by policy makers. Public opinion must be allowed to shape - and be seen to shape - the debate, influencing the final decisions on whether GM crops should get the commercial go-ahead in this country. And there needs to be a clear and stated link between the public debate and the decision-making process."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

Sheila McKechnie, director of the Consumers' Association, said: "The organisation of the GM public debate can only be described as a catalogue of errors from start to finish with the government paying mere lip service to consumer concerns.

"Enough is enough. Consumers deserve a genuine chance to have their views heard and it is the responsibility of Margaret Beckett's department to make sure that they get it."

Forum Response: National Trust

Peter Nixon, director of conservation at the National Trust, said: "This public debate should blaze a trail for government to develop policies in ways that recognise the importance of consumer attitudes alongside and informed by good science.

"In particular it is vital that the outcome of field trials informs the debate."

Forum Response: English Nature

A spokesman for English Nature told ePolitix.com: "Whilst we welcome the government's initiative to involve the public more closely in the GM debate, we have concerns about the information available to the public meetings.

"We believe the quality of debate would be greatly improved if participants had access to the reports of the Science Review and the Strategy Unit's economic study, which are due to be published in mid-July, and the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations due to be released in the autumn.

"Without these important sources of information public debate is weakened, especially where potential environmental impacts of using GM crops are concerned."