Millionaire MP Gregory Barker may not be a typical eco-rebel but he now has a leading role in challenging the Government over genetically modified (GM) crops.

He is calling for strict separation between commercial GM and conventional crops and for biotech companies to pay compensation if anything goes wrong.

Mr Barker, Tory MP for Bexhill and Battle, will present his Genetically Modified Organisms Bill to Parliament next Friday, following the decision to allow a single variety of GM maize to be grown commercially in England.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has already recognised that organic and conventional growers fear their crops could be contaminated if GM is grown nearby.

But the biotech industry is strenuously opposing her demand that it funds a compensation scheme.

Mr Barker said: "The Government's response at the moment is all over the place.

"It is a dog's dinner that is satisfying nobody."

More than two-thirds of conventional crops in the US are now contaminated with GM material, according to scientific research.

Although the reported cross-contamination is small, it has added to demands for separation between GM and conventional crops.

Mr Barker's Bill, drafted by Friends of the Earth, calls for a 2,000-metre buffer between GM and non-GM varieties of maize.

The biotech industry umbrella group Scimac recommends a 50-metre buffer.

But the issue of liability might prove to be an even bigger stumbling block.

Mr Barker said: "The liability should rest squarely on the shoulders of the big biotech companies.

"We must make sure the deep pockets of Monsanto and co, who are ultimately going to benefit from GM, carry the financial can if there are problems."

There are a number of other hurdles which still have to be overcome.

The maize variety preferred by the Government outperformed conventional maize in recent field trials, allowing more wildlife to survive.

However, the conventional crop was treated with the pesticide atrazine, which is to be banned throughout the EU from 2006.

Anti-GM groups believe a replacement pesticide would allow more weeds to grow, cancelling out any of the apparent benefits of the GM seeds.

Mr Barker said: "I think they should go back to the drawing board and rerun the trials.

"People have made it abundantly clear they don't want GM and they are extremely concerned about the environment and the wider impact of GM."

Brighton-based anti-GM activist Rowan Tilly is among 3,000 people who have signed the Green Gloves Pledge and promised to stage non-violent protests wherever the crops are grown.

Activists say they will use public unease to put pressure on dairies and supermarkets, as well as try to destroy any commercial GM crops.

Friday March 19, 2004