Nicola Sturgeon has refused to say whether a scientific adviser was consulted before the SNP banned the use of genetically modified crops in Scotland.
The First Minister then tried to reassure MSPs over the policy by saying she’d visited a farm last week.
She dodged the question at Holyrood one month after taking the controversial decision. A Scottish Government spokesman was also vague when quizzed later by The Courier.
The SNP leader was challenged by Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser to reveal whether she’d approached Professor Louise Heathwaite, the chief scientific adviser for rural affairs and environment.
Ms Sturgeon replied: “I visited a farm just last week to hear directly about some of the issues that are being faced by our primary food producers.
“Our food and drink sector is hugely important to our economy and if we want to support it we need to ensure that our clean, green reputation is enhanced.
“That is the position.”
The Scottish Government decision split environmentalists and scientists.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said the move will protect Scotland’s “clean, green status” and the country’s £14 billion food and drink sector.
Professor Anne Glover, chief scientific adviser to the SNP Government between 2006-11, rejected his claim.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Both SASA and the chief scientific adviser for rural affairs, food and the environment are sources of expert advice on a range of issues that help inform the Government’s position on policy, including the cultivation of GM crops.”