"FARMERS WEEKLY"
A version of the following letter was published 25 December 1998 in "Farmers Weekly", a leading British agricultural journal.
Be GM-free is way to compete
Dear Sir,
Farmers Weekly recently reported genetically modified herbicide resistant
crops being out performed in the US by non-modified varieties, and also in
NIAB trials in the UK.
The effectiveness of GM insecticide crops is also collapsing so fast that
American farmers are now recommended to plant up to 40% of crops in
unmodified varieties. The spread of herbicide resistant transgenic oilseed
rape volunteers by cross pollination onto farmland in Canada that has never
grown GM varieties is now resulting in litigation.
All major UK supermarkets are now adopting strategies to source GM-free
ingredients, and British Sugar will not be accepting any GM sugar beet.
UK agriculture finds itself at a crossroads at the end of the century in
many respects, but especially in relation to genetic engineering. The Chief
Executive of Monsanto has described the effects of genetic engineering as
"unknown, and to some degree unknowable".
How wise is it to adopt a technology which involves the random insertion of
foreign genetic material from viruses and bacteria into our food in return
for marginal or non-existent benefits? If our objective is the destruction
of consumer confidence in British Agriculture’s ability to provide safe and
wholesome food, then plunging thoughtlessly ahead may be the best option.
If , however, our objective is to "Keep Britain Farming" then the most
effective way to compete against food imports from the United States is to
keep our production GM-free. GM-free is what our customers require and
what our American competitors can no longer provide.
Sincerely,
Mark Griffiths BSc FRICS FAAV
Environment Spokesman
Natural Law Party (UK)
Will GM crops deliver benefits to farmers? - some
realities behind biotechnology myths
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
Chartered Surveyor Monthly on GMO farming problems
Dorset farmers react in support of NLP GM warnings
NLP calls for Hampshire to be declared "GM Free
Zone"
Dorset Farmers advised to avoid GM Oilseed Rape
GM crops a threat to future viability of farming in Hampshire
Hampshire firm develops non-genetically engineered Soya for growing
in UK
Natural Law Party campaign to ban genetically modified foods in Wessex
