Call to back GM

28 September 2001




Call to back GM

AGRICULTURE policy makers should be prepared to stand up and tell consumers they are wrong when it comes to genetically modified foods, says Belgiums farm minister.

Addressing the congress, Annemie Neyts said the views of single issue pressure groups should not shape future policy.

Consumers still needed to be able to make a clear choice and clear labelling of GM foods was a prerequisite. "But we must not follow whatever folly may seize them," she said.

Mrs Neyts was particularly concerned that during farm ministers recent discussions on new technologies, only the UK had mentioned the interests of farmers. Everyone else was only concerned with consumers.

These views were supported by former NFU president David Naish, who said the EU was in danger of being left behind if policy makers only listened to single issue pressure groups.

But junior DEFRA minister Lord Whitty said the whole subject of GM crops was still fraught with uncertainty.

The advantages of GMs to producers were unproven in many cases, while consumers viewed the subject with hostility. The governments responsibility, therefore, was to try to substantiate the evidence.

Its job was to inform, to educate and to regulate. But ultimately it was up to consumers to choose, said Lord Whitty.

The fact that European citizens were so against GM foods had taken a number of US manufacturers by surprise, US embassy agriculture specialist Peter Kurz told the congress.

"US consumers dont share those concerns," he said. GM foods had been around for a long time and the American people had greater faith in their regulatory authorities.

But those who had tried to ignore the demands of the EU market had come unstuck and lost market share. Consumer concerns had to be taken seriously.


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