The following article appeared in the "Country File" section of the Dorset Evening Echo, a British regional newspaper, on May 5th 1998, giving Dorset farmers' response to the Natural Law Party's warnings about genetically engineered crops covered in a previous feature by the paper a week earlier
(Earlier Dorset Evening Echo article on NLP GM crop
warning)
(To contact the Dorset Evening Echo click
here)
There's no GM grain gain for UK farmers
Written and compiled by ELIZABETH WIGGINS
Dorset Evening Echo, 57 St Thomas St, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8EU. Tel 01305 784804, Fax 01305 760387
FARMERS have nothing to gain from growing genetically modified(GM) crops, according to the region's National Farmers' Union director, Anthony Gibson.
Speaking in response to last week's Country File article in which UK environmental spokesman for the Natural Law Party Mark Griffiths highlighted the dangers of GM crops to public health, Mr Gibson agreed: "There are enormous potential risks."
"There is no particular point in farmers growing crops that are genetically engineered. Certainly there is no special profit element in it for farmers - it is the biotechnological companies who will make the money from them."
"We do not want another BSE-type crisis on our hands in another 10 years time. We want to make sure that everything is right before we move ahead"
Anthony Gibson, South West Regional National Farmers' Union Director
"There could be some potential benefits from genetic engineering - firstly in medicines and secondly, in lower food prices for consumers but not for farmers."
"However, I agree there needs to be caution, for their long-term impact in unknown. If they are to be grown commercially in Britain, clear labelling is essential."
"It is a frightening fact, if it is true, that the Government is making a decision about the commercial growing of GM crops in Britain within nine months"
Robert Bowditch, Dorset NFU County Chairman
Dorset's farming fraternity shares the general concern about genetically modified crops, according to county NFU chairman, Robert Bowditch.
"I have spoken to many local farmers about the issue and they are worried that things are moving far too quickly."
"It is a frightening fact, if it is true, that the Government is making a decision about the commercial growing of GM crops in Britain within nine months. They are doing all this without enough public consultation and without a sufficient timescale.As a county we are very worried about the terrific push that the chemical companies seem to be giving genetic engineering, especially agricultural produce."
"We fear that not enough time is being taken to check that they are completely safe."
"Farmers fully recognise that we must move on and progress, as science does. The public should also be allowed a choice about whether to buy genetically modified produce, or not."
"Obviously, we do not want to miss the boat on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). What we fear is that the United States is already well into it and they could possibly be flooding GM food into the European market - whether we grow GM crops here or not. So I do not want us not to take the opportunity up, if the rest of the world does and consumers here are buying it."
"GMOs have their place, especially in arid areas where cotton crops are disseminated by bugs. GMO cotton crops will survive in such conditions."
"Overall, I am uneasy when we are messing about with nature. But the world has to move on, albeit in a safe manner."
"The suggestion that GM maize crops contain an antibiotic-resistant gene is, frankly, sloppy science. We cannot afford such mistakes, although I do understand that it has been altered now."
"Despite Dorset farmers concerns, I think genetically engineered crops will happen and be grown here in the county. However, we are in no hurry to see them - it needs to be done the safe, slow, easy way."
"We are worried about what they might do to the environment. Really it is just the big companies that have developed them who are going to benefit - and they are a huge, powerful machine."
"Genetic engineering is like microwave ovens and irradiation.You never really know what they might do to you?"
(Earlier Dorset Evening Echo article on NLP GM crop warning)
Will GM crops deliver benefits to farmers? - some
realities behind biotechnology myths
Why consumers are concerned about GM foods
Lack of markets for GM crops
Why staying GM-free is in UK agriculture's best interests
Natural Law Party condemns lack of proper information given to farmers
Why GM crops will put farmers at legal risk
Natural Law Party campaign to ban genetically modified foods in Wessex
