The long expected go-ahead for GM maize, after years of scientific tests and consultations, sparked claims that Prime Minister Tony Blair's government was showing contempt for broad opposition among Britons to bio-engineered crops.

"We should agree in principle to the commercial cultivation of GM herbicide-tolerant maize," Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett told parliament.

But such crops had to be grown under strict conditions to prevent an "adverse" impact on the environment, Beckett added.

GM maize grown in Britain -- from spring 2005 at the earliest -- would be for animal consumption only, but some critics have voiced fears it could be indirectly absorbed by humans through cow's milk.

In Europe, the growing of GM crops on a significant scale takes place only in Spain, which has 32,000 hectares (nearly 80,000 acres) set aside for GM maize.

Beckett acknowledged that public consultations had revealed "general unease" about GM crops, which have genes added to make them more resistant to some pesticides.

But she defended the government's approach. "It is precautionary. It is evidence-based," she said.

Beckett told parliament: "There is no scientific case for a blanket approval of all uses" of GM crops. "But equally, there is no scientific case for a blanket ban on the use of GM," she said.

However, the environment secretary told the House of Commons that Britain would oppose the growing of GM beet and oilseed rape, not only on its own farms but anywhere in the European Union.

In January, a scientific body commissioned by the British government to look into the issue gave a qualified green light to GM maize, while going against other crops.

The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment analysed results of GM trials of maize, beet and spring-sown oilseed rape at some 60 sites across Britain over the last three years.

Last week, a parliamentary committee urged the government to postpone for at least four years a decision to allow GM crops to be produced commercially in Britain, saying more research was needed.

Reacting to Tuesday's go-ahead for GM maize, Sarah North of the Greenpeace environmental group said: "Downing Street should know that there are thousands upon thousands of people ready to fight him (Blair) on this."

"The end result could be chaos in the countryside during an election year," expected in Britain in the first half of 2005.

Michael Meacher, a junior environment minister until 2003, said ahead of the expected GM announcement: "This is the wrong decision because science doesn't support it. The trials are not good evidence."

He alleged that the government's thinking was being driven "by the commercial interest of the big biotech companies like Monsanto and by pressure from the US administration."

The British Medical Association, which represents the majority of the nation's doctors, said GM foods were highly unlikely to cause harmful health effects.

It called for an end to the "hysteria" surrounding the issue, adding that more research was needed "to allay public concern".

Beckett said licences to grow GM maize would expire in October 2006, and that anyone wishing to renew such permission would have to carry out scientific analysis during cultivation.

Farmers wishing to grow GM maize would also have to comply with a code of practice and meet rules on "coexistence" with other growers nearby, who feared contamination of their non-GM crops.

TERRA.WIRE