The government has come under fire for underfunding the public debate on genetically-modified crops.

Quarter of a million has been allocated for a consultation on the issue by environment secretary Margaret Beckett.

A sum that has been criticised for being too small by both pro and anti campaigners.

In contrast to the British exercise, New Zealand has launched a Royal Commission.

The UK steering committee was examining the cost of a wider consultation, chairman Professor Malcolm Grant explained.

"The resources are likely to be a problem, but they are one of many problems," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

"I don't think you are going to get a clear yes or no answer. This is not a referendum. This is actually an opportunity to tease out the different shades of public opinion which are really quite sophisticated.

"We can do that in two ways. I'm sure we have got enough to do it in a rather narrow and deep way through, for example, the discussion groups we are starting this week. Where we have not got huge resources is in kicking off a wide scale public debate, which we are also very keen to do."

Professor Grant also warned of "divided opinions" among academics as to the success of farm trials.

Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth accused ministers of being "out of touch" on the issue of GM crops.

"Mrs Beckett's plan to limit the value of the debate by failing to provide adequate funds is coming apart at the seams," said food campaigner Pete Riley.

"It is time that the whole idea was put back on the drawing board and a truly independent process developed, with the government merely providing the funds.

"Our recent opinion polling indicates that most people would prefer Britain to be GM-free for the time being. It's amazing that a senior member of the Cabinet is so out of touch with what people want from food and farming in this country."