Opposition politicians have branded the SNP’s GM crops ban as an insult to north-east scientists.
Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the ban meant the SNP were like those “who questioned Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin” – and warned it would leave scientists at places like Aberdeen’s James Hutton Institute thinking they are “closed for business”.
Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, agreed that by outlawing GM crops the SNP had shown “contempt for the scientific community”.
Environment secretary Richard Lochhead announced the ban in August, claiming it would help protect Scotland’s “clean, green status”.
But Mr Rennie said: “It isn’t clear on what evidence, if any, this decision was made. The Parliament didn’t take evidence on a ban or sign up to it.
“It is illiberal to ban something on the basis of perception, rather than evidence.
“What kind of this message does this send to the scientific community here in Scotland and beyond? How does it help the likes of the James Hutton and Rowett institutes – world leaders in this sector? It suggests Scotland is closed for business.
“Far from protecting Scotland’s reputation, the Scottish Government is undermining it. Just like those who questioned Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin, ministers are indulging in an anti-science philosophy.”
Ms Dugdale said science had become “disconnected” from politics under the SNP, who have yet to appoint a chief scientific adviser despite the post lying vacant for almost a year.
She added: “(This) is not simply a failure of evidence based policy making. It is contempt for the scientific community.
“Perhaps we should not be surprised given the many months the government has seen fit to get by without a chief scientific advisor at all and given the fact that the post when filled will have access only to a junior minister, not the open door to the First Minister it once had.”
A spokesman for Mr Lochhead said: “It is the height of hypocrisy from Willie Rennie, given the cuts to science funding that his party made in coalition with the Tories, to criticise the Scottish Government’s action to support scientific research and protect our multi-billion pound food and drink sector.
“Our decision to protect the clean, green status of Scotland’s £14bn food and drink sector has been shown to be leading the way – a total of 19 EU countries, including France and Germany and Northern Ireland and Wales, have also now followed Scotland’s example.
“That covers over 60% of both Europe’s population and means that more than 60% of the continent’s arable land will not have approved GM crops grown on it.
“We very much value the views of our scientific community, but we have a responsibility to consider other social, environmental and economic factors too.”