Hutton wants media to end 'scare stories' on GM crops

A cabinet minister has revealed that the Government is launching a charm offensive to stop the media reporting scare stories about GM crops.

The campaign led by John Hutton, the Cabinet Office Minister, led environmental pressure groups to warn last night against the Government "softening up" the media for controversial scientific developments. The EU Commission will today approve the use in animal feed of a GM maize that allegedly showed a link with low liver weight in tests on rats. Anti-GM campaigners said agriculture ministers would now greenlight the maize for use in food, lifting a ban on its EU import.

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Tony Blair dispatched Mr Hutton to talk to media chiefs because he fears Britain could miss out on economic and social benefits amid public hostility to GM.

Mr Hutton said he wanted to persuade the media to report sensitive issues such as GM crops and foods in a "more balanced" way to prevent crucial decisions being based on emotion rather than scientific opinion. But he insisted he was not trying to pressure the media.

Helen Hodder, of Friends of the Earth, said: "Rather than telling the media what they should think, the Government should be listening to what people want."