"FARMERS WEEKLY"
A version of the following letter by the Natural Law Party spokesman for Dorset was published April 24th 1998 in "Farmers Weekly", a leading British agricultural journal.
Under the title "Resistance to GM products offers UK farmers a life-line" a version of the letter was also published as the week's reader's opinion in the April 3rd 1998 Edition of "Farming News", another leading weekly periodical for British Farmers. In a previous edition "Farming News" ran its main editorial calling for greater caution in the introduction of GMOs into agriculture.
GM-free crops a life-saver?
Dear Sir
It is important to draw attention to the drawbacks and risks associated with genetically modified crops and growing consumer concern over their safety.
However, contrary to popular economic opinion consumer resistance to genetically modified foods in Europe represents a major business opportunity for UK farmers rather than a financial threat.
The real economic significance of the current situation is that US GM agricultural products (which will shortly predominate in many areas of US production) are being increasingly rejected by European consumers. This represents a potentially crucial economic life-boat for European agriculture.
The greatest threat to domestic agriculture’s long term viability is not the proposed reductions in internal CAP price support, but rather the prospect of large quantities of cheap American imports penetrating EU borders following the US Freedom to Farm Act and the next WTO round which aims to open up European markets to global competition.
If EU agriculture remains GM free North American GM imports will be unable to compete on European markets because of consumer demand for unmodified products. Because of its involvement in GM crops Canada alone has already lost oilseed contracts in Europe this year worth up to $180 million.
Yours faithfully,
Gerald Napper, 15a Binghams Rd, Crossways, Dorchester, Dorset.
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Why consumers are concerned about GM foods
Earlier letter in Farming News on lack of markets for GM crops
Why GM crops will put farmers at legal risk
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Hampshire firm develops non-genetically engineered Soya for growing
in UK
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Natural Law Party campaign to ban genetically modified foods in
Wessex
