Representatives of organic businesses, the Organic Trade Board and the Soil Association told Hilary Benn that the UK government should stop voting in favour of pro-genetically modified (GM) products in the European Union.

The organic companies told Hilary Benn that the UK government should support the strong GM-free position adopted by the Scottish and Welsh governments, in particular the proposal by the Welsh Assembly government to make GM companies liable for any damage their GM crops cause. Hilary Benn said that he did not oppose the fact that the Welsh government was adopting its own position on this issue.

The organic businesses said that it was “outrageous” that GM crops had been introduced without any proper research into their health impacts. Hilary Benn agreed that claiming there was “no evidence that they are not safe” is not the same as saying that there is evidence that GM crops are safe.

He was urged to support more long-term research into the health effects of GM food as the Austrian government has done recently, resulting in research that led the scientists in charge to express concern and call for more research into the safety of GM food.

The secretary of state emphasised his commitment to supporting organic food, acknowledged the benefits that organic farming and food have in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and said that all of us would have to eat more seasonal food; he also wanted to see more people growing their own food.

In response, the organic companies asked him to follow the lead set by Michelle Obama, who has set up an organic vegetable garden in the grounds of the White house. Hilary Benn then agreed to pass on a request to Gordon Brown that he start to grow some organic fruit and vegetables in the garden of 10 Downing Street.

Benn agreed to a further meeting to discuss the possible contribution that organic food and farming will increasingly play in future.