THIS week is the last chance for local people to have a say in the great GM debate. Friday, July 18, is the last day that people can submit their views on this vital topic, as the nationwide public consultation comes to an end.

Readers can visit the GM Nation? Website www.gmnation.org.uk to contribute.

I recently tried to get our own county council to follow the example of other authorities around the country and hold a GM Forum. To my dismay it declined. A great shame because in this predominantly rural area there is great concern among farmers and the public generally about the effect that growing GM crops here would have. Conventional and organic farmers could go out of business if their crops are contaminated by GM.

This Saturday I will be speaking in Lichfield at the Green Party's regional meeting, After the GM Debate - What Next? I will be outlining the success of Green councillors across Britain in getting local authorities to go GM-free, and the efforts of our Green MEPs to continue the Europe-wide moratorium on commercial planting of GM crops.

For more details of the time and venue of the meeting, phone me on (01684) 563392.

CHRIS LENNARD, Green Party GM Spokesman, West Midlands Region, Gloucester Close, Malvern.