He said, "Europe needs more Green MEPs. Most environmental decisions are made at the European level and Green MEPs can have the most far-reaching effect."
Hugh, who has advocated using local food in his River Cottage TV series and is a keen supporter of the organic movement, added:
Having more elected Greens will increase the chances of stopping GM crops."
London Greens have advocated a policy of healthy food in schools, the banning of junk food adverts endorsed by celebrities and a London food strategy to deal with both food poverty and sustainability. They have campaigned for a GM free London and a ban on all GM in school meals. Darren Johnson has pledged 1000 new allotments plots if elected Mayor.
Darren said," Hugh extols local food, and of course, local food markets are increasingly under threat from cheap imports which undermine local farmers and fishermen. This is a direct consequence of the so-called free-trade policies of the three mainstream parties."
Jean Lambert, London’s Green MEP said, "Hugh is correct. The only way to stop GM crops is to vote Green tomorrow."
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is the latest in a long line of TV celebrities to publicly endorse the Green Party’s European Election campaign. Other big names include: Tim Roth, Jeremy Irons, Twiggy, and Joanna Lumley.
Ends:
NOTES TO EDITORS
· Darren Johnson is 38 and was selected as the Green Party’s candidate for Mayor of London in May 2003. He was elected to the London Assembly in May 2000 where he is Leader of the Green Party Group. He was also elected to Lewisham Council in May 2002.
· The Mayoral election will be held on June 10th at the same time as the elections for the London Assembly and the European Parliament. At the last Assembly elections the Greens scored one of their best ever results in the Party’s history, securing 11.1% of the vote across London and winning three seats on the 25-member Assembly.
· Darren Johnson’s vision for a sustainable Green London can be found on his website www.johnsonformayor.org.uk
· Jean Lambert is London’s Green Member of the European Parliament and she is No 1 on the list for the London Green Party. Her website is www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
· Green Party Assembly Members are Cllr. Darren Johnson AM, Deputy Mayor Jenny Jones AM and Noel Lynch AM