Promoting the public benefits of GM technology must be prioritised if British farmers are to gain access to it. That was the message to delegates at an NFU conference examining the ‘when, what and how’ of GM crops on British farms.
Delegates at the conference in Peterborough heard how GM crops are now grown on 181.5 million hectares of land worldwide and used by 18 million farmers. This is in stark contrast to the situation in the European Union where, despite 20 years of the technology, only one commercial variety, a GM-maize, is currently being grown.
NFU Deputy President Minette Batters chaired the conference and said: “GM crops are already part of the food supply chain and have the potential to be a big part of British agriculture’s future. The conference was about the NFU helping its members lead an informed debate on the topic. Open discussion in the industry is absolutely vital if British farming is to have access to this technology.
“GM is a powerful plant breeding technology which can help produce better crops – British farmers must have the choice to access the best tools to increase their productivity, resilience, profitability and competitiveness.
“The market, led by sound information, must ultimately decide if GM crops are grown here. The NFU has been urging regulators at an EU and UK level to base their decisions on sound science and evidence and there must be no exception for GM.”
NFU combinable crops board chairman Mike Hambly who attended the conference said: “If British farmers are to continue to produce safe and healthy food in a sustainable way, and remain competitive, it’s vital that we’re not excluded from the latest technology.
“This conference has offered an excellent opportunity to discuss the benefits that crop biotechnology might bring, and to hear from farmers in other countries who are already growing GM crops. The question now is what are we going to do about it?
“Despite all the benefits we’ve heard about we have to ask what’s in it for our consumers and we have to get that message across. We need to move forward in an informed and positive way and try and regain some common sense in this debate.”
Genetic modification is the direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology. It is a set of technologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms.
Ethical and safety concerns have been raised around the use of genetically modified food. A major safety concern relates to the possible human health implications of eating genetically modified food, in particular whether toxic or allergic reactions could occur.
The following member states and regions have already ‘opted-out’ of the GM process: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Wallonia, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
