A Westcountry GM expert is spearheading a national campaign against the Food Standards Agency in protest at "anti-consumer" propaganda.

The FSA has recently launched a website explaining basic details about genetically modified organisms and inviting debate on the subject - in a year when the Government is holding its own consultation to determine the public's views on the matter.

But now, nine national groups have joined forces, launching a forceful attack over the breakaway debate and accusing the FSA of pro-GM bias.

The Soil Association, Friends of the Earth, Food Commission, Greenpeace, National Federation of Women's Institute, UNISON, GM Free Cymru, National Association of Health Stores and Genetic Food Alert have written a letter to Sir John Krebs, chairman of the FSA, expressing their concern over the "attempt to usurp the legitimate debate process".

Initiating the campaign, Totnes-based expert Robert Vint said: "The content of this website is biased, failing to address issues currently facing UK consumers and selective with information chosen to be included. It is now clear that there is very broad-based opposition to the way the FSA is handling GM issues and we hope that Sir John Krebs and his colleagues will come to recognise that they have made an appalling error of judgment in attempting to usurp the legitimate debate process." The Westcountry campaigner, on whose advice Zambia refused to commercialise GM, said: "Last March, an unnamed government minister warned that the GM consultation would be nothing but 'a carefully orchestrated PR offensive'. The papers also quoted him as saying 'don't be in any doubt - the decision is already taken'.

"The letter sent personally to each member of the FSA board highlights the fact that the agency is taking a line on GM foods which is virtually indistinguishable from that of the pro-GM lobby." Joining the protest, Dr Mike Abrahams, chairman of the National Association of Health Stores, said: "We don't need more spin-doctoring and customer confidence exercises from Sir John and the FSA." Mr Vint claimed the FSA board has already expressed concern that the body should not be drawn into any campaign on GM.

He said the "opening up the debate" leaflet was highly selective, containing information presented as basic information gives only one side of the argument and "fails to address the main uncertainties surrounding GM and its possible implications".

But yesterday, a spokesman for the Food Standards Agency denied the scientific organisation was biased.

"The FSA announced last July that it would be carrying out activities to independently assess consumer acceptability of GM food alongside those of the Government debates. We were mindful in developing our activities that GM is an area where views are extremely polarised and entrenched and we wanted to draw people into the debate. The FSA is neither pro nor against GM." But Sheila McKechnie, director of the Consumers' Association said: "The FSA is failing in its remit to protect consumers. Research shows that over half of consumers worry about GM, yet the regulator has failed to give any consideration to these concerns."