GM may provide solution to rising food prices
The president of the UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF), Iain Ferguson, recently gave a speech at the National Farmer's Union Conference in England. Ferguson endorsed genetic modification as a possible solution to the rising food costs and shortages. Read more about this in the following Food Navigator article.
C.S. Prakash
GM may provide solution to rising food prices
Food Navigator
February 20, 2008
The continuing increases in raw material costs could shine a favourable light on genetic modification as pressure mounts in Europe to boost harvests.
Speaking at yesterday's National Farmer's Union Conference, Iain Ferguson, chief executive of Tate & Lyle and president of the UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF), said British food prices are rising at their fastest rate since records began.
He quoted the Daily Telegraph as saying food prices in the UK are fuelling a rise in the average family's annual shopping bill of £750.
"We have to face up to the issue of genetic modification and rise to the challenge of helping to foster a fair and scientific debate on an issue that has typically been clouded by suspicion and a lack of trust," Ferguson said.
"The current economic climate with rising food prices and concerns over long term availability of commodities may well give us the opportunity to begin to do this."
Farmers have remained cautious to support the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) while consumers continue to express concern on their environmental impact and possible long term health risks.
