There needs to be more informed debate on the potential of GM technology, the Fresh Produce Consortium’s technical group meeting heard last week.
FPC ceo Nigel Jenney, who opened the meeting in York, said the lack of balanced public debate on the subject had been “disappointing” and recent resignations from the Food Standards Agency’s steering group were of concern to the industry.
“Let’s hope the new government will inject a bit more vigour into the process and ensure that the public can have greater confidence in the FSA’s public engagement exercise,” he said.
Dr Julian Little, chair of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, said the technology had many benefits for horticulture. “We must allow innovation in food production and not throw away the potential of GM to help find solutions to the challenges of producing more food for an increasing global population.”
Organic farmer John Clark said more robust scientific research must be carried out to ensure that any potential side effects of GM on humans and the environment were identified.
He added: “We cannot afford to allow the entire UK population to be part of a massive experiment; GM technology must be proven to have no adverse effects. If necessary we should slow down the pace of development to ensure that sufficient and thorough independent research is done on the impacts on ourselves and on the environment.”
The possible role of GM to minimise the use of pesticides was also discussed.
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