Ministers have come under fire from a cross-party committee of MPs for approving the growing of GM crops.

The Commons environmental audit committee argued that the decision was contrary to public opinion.

It follows the publication of their report in March, urging the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to hold more tests. 

Four days later, environment secretary Margaret Beckett announced approval for the commercial growing of GM maize.

Publishing the government's response to the report yesterday, MPs said: "We are very disappointed by the tone and content of the government response...[it] is clearly unsatisfactory."