NFU welcomes moves for debate on GM crops role
There continues to be buzz about UK Environment Minister Phil Woolas’ push to start talking about GM crops in the United Kingdom. According to this article the National Farmers Union of the UK is supporting Woolas, saying that GM crops have the potential to help feed the world.
C.S. Prakash
NFU welcomes moves for debate on GM crops role
Newbusiness.co.uk
June 20, 2008
THE National Farmers Union has welcomed moves by the Government to start a debate about a greater role for GM crops. As world food prices continue to rise, Environment Minister Phil Woolas said yesterday that he wants a debate on the benefits of GM crops in offering greater yields, particularly in the developing world.
A spokesman for the NFU said: “We are pleased the Defra minister is finally talking about GM crops in an open, pragmatic and science-based way.
“We sincerely hope this indicates a real change in Government thinking and a move away from the highly politicised and emotive way this issue has been dealt with during the last decade.
“The reality is that GM technology is not new and it has been applied to commercial agriculture around the world for more than 12 years.
“In the context of increasing food prices as well as fuel, we are pleased that the benefits of reduced inputs and increased yields by improving crops using GM technology are finally being recognised as a benefit for both consumers and the environment.”
This week, Mr Woolas said: “There is a growing question of whether GM crops can help the developing world out of the current food price crisis.
