The European Parliament's vote in favour of stricter labelling for GM foods was a victory for Sussex shoppers and farmers and a major blow to the Government - and its friends in the biotech industry - which had tried to water down the legislation by instructing Labour MEPs to throw out key elements of the proposals.

The parliament's rejection of GM-free labelling was also a slap in the face for the Food Standards Agency (FSA). It is deeply worrying that the FSA, which ought to be promoting agricultural safety and diversity, is promoting this idea. GM-free labelling might sound good in theory but, in practice, it would mean shifting the burden of proof away from GM producers to non-GM producers, who would have to demonstrate that their products do not contain GM ingredients. In effect, a GM-free label creates a costly niche market for GM-free products, leaving GM food as the norm.

Yet the suggestion that the majority of the population should pay a premium to avoid unwanted GM ingredients is both arrogant and unacceptable.

The parliament's decision to ensure all GM food and feed products are labelled, irrespective of whether they contain GM DNA or not, will guarantee much greater information. MEPs have shown they support attempts to protect consumers' freedom of choice and Tony Blair has once again shown how out of touch he is - in Sussex and across the UK and Europe.

-Dr Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP for South East England