GM-free feed will cost farmers
26 January 2001
GM-free feed ‘will cost farmers’
By Isabel Davies
A DECISION by supermarkets to sell meat only from animals fed on non-GM feed is likely to force up production costs and disrupt British meat supplies.
Ben Gill, president of the National Farmers Union, said the move threatened to put a major cost burden on already hard-pressed farmers.
“Supplies of guaranteed GM-free feed ingredients are limited,” he said.
A sudden increase in demand for GM-free feed, coming so soon after meat and bonemeal was banned, would lead to higher costs for farmers, Mr Gill added.
His comments followed an announcement that Marks & Spencer is including fresh beef, lamb and chicken its range of products reared on non-GM feed.
Tesco and Asda plan to take similar action.
Mr Gill has called for urgent talks with agriculture minister Nick Brown in an attempt to force the supermarkets to suspend their proposals.
But Harry Hadaway, campaigner for the Soil Association, said the retailers should be congratulated for working hard to promote confidence in British food.
“By banning GMs from animal feed, the supermarkets were protecting consumers from the possible health dangers associated with GM food, he said.