GM crops not needed, says Meacher

16 June 1999

GM crops ‘not needed’, says Meacher

GENETICALLY modified (GM) foods benefit producers rather than consumers, said the UK environment minister Michael Meacher in parliament yesterday.

But he added in the long run, consumers could gain from food with a longer shelf life, or which could be grown in otherwise hostile conditions.
He told MPs: “We do not need GM foods at present. But the fact is this is a technology which has some potential benefits.”

He told parliament that the government was determined to be open with the public on the subject of GM technology.

• The Independent 16/06/99 page 8