Read on Twitter
1/ Interesting response from @TheGrocer to the #NotInMySuoermarket initiative. So, yes, on the one hand we want a better debate, on the other the haste with which UK government aims to deregulate an experimental technology has laid down a marker... https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/the-grocer-blog-daily-bread/we-should-be-stimulating-the-gene-editing-debate-not-shutting-it-down/653292.article
2/ The consultation was launched without scope, without any analysis, or scientific evidence presented. I would recommend @HNHolmes to read the complaint @Beyond_GM has submitted to @DefraGovUK because all comms/actions including ‘campaigns’ have a context https://beyond-gm.org/how-to-public-consultation-what-defra-should-have-done/
3/ If the government’s ideology won’t allow it to respond to a really serious complaint, but also to constructive suggestions for how to improve the discussion (a dialogue we have been pursuing for a long time now) then what avenues of communication are left?
4/ In addition, we also have a duty to our many supporters who do have doubts and questions about genetic engineering technologies in agriculture & who want to respond but feel put off by the opaque, dishonest nature of the consultation.
5/ As it happens,as a Director of @Beyond_GM, I gave @TheGrocer a heads up that @coopuk had responded positively & thoughtfully to the initiative and that we were in discussion with others. That is an important part of the dialogue and the context, missing in your piece.
6/ @HNJolmes Do not dismiss ‘campaigners’ and the campaigning voice as unworthy of a seat at the table of ‘reasonable discussion’. Far from shutting them down, many reasonable discussions would never get started without that voice.
