MPs have denounced the government's public consultation on genetically modified crops as "an opportunity missed".

In a report published on Thursday, the Commons environment select committee argued that not enough funds were allocated to the GM Nation debate, while too tight a deadline was imposed for conclusions.

The committee highlighted that the aim of a debate is to educate and inform members of the public.

But the report concluded: "The GM public debate did not do so, in part because the information which was meant to underpin it - the Strategy Unit's economic review, the GM Science Review Panel, and the outcome of the farm scale evaluations - was not released until late in the process or afterwards."

Forum Response: National Farmers Union

A spokesman for the NFU, told ePolitix.com: "The NFU has strongly supported wide public debate on GM issues.

"We share the select committee's concern that the value of the formal debate held during the summer was reduced by the late release of important information during the period of debate itself.

"It is important that public confidence in this innovative technology is built on firm foundations, and this exercise could have been handled much better than it was. We look to government to raise its game as the ongoing debate on GM matters progresses."

Forum Response: Consumers' Association

Michelle Smyth, senior public affairs officer at the Consumers' Association said: "GM Nation was an important opportunity to engage with consumers to understand their attitudes towards the development of GM technology in the UK. We feel the opportunity was missed for a more wide-ranging and informed debate.

"Consumers' Association now calls on government, in its response to the findings of GM Nation and the science and economic reviews, to ensure that consumer opinion is placed at the heart of UK policy on GM food."

Forum Response: National Consumers Council

Sue Dibb, senior policy officer on food issues at the NCC, said: "NCC calls on government to learn the lessons of the GM public debate to help pave the way for future dialogues with the public. Although a welcome and innovative attempt to engage the general public in a two-way dialogue, it clearly fell short of what was required.

"Government should not be dissuaded from such public dialogue in the future, but needs to plan better for it. It is vital that sufficient resources - both time and money -are made available to ensure future debates reach ordinary people, and not just those already engaged.

"The NCC is now calling on Margaret Beckett, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, to respond to both the EFRA committee report and the public debate report without delay. She must make clear the impact the GM public debate is having on government's decision-making. Only then will people have faith in the public dialogue process."