itv.com

GM crops 'not worth growing'
7.32AM BST, 11 Jul 2003

The future of genetically modified crops is looking increasingly uncertain
as a Government report has reportedly concluded that there is no economic
argument for growing them.

The study by the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit is also thought to suggest
that the British economy may be better off supporting the growth of non-GM
crops.

The study - which is to be released today - looked at the impacts of GM food
on farmers, processors, retailers and consumers.

In addition it has examined the effects on the environmental of GM crops,
and checked into the biotechnology industry and reflected on how developing
countries would deal with the issue.

The Soil Association said the report may also indicate that there could be
new costs from managing the segregation of GM and non-GM crops.

The Strategy Unit report comes as a Government-funded public nation-wide
debate on GM crops, launched last month, is due to end on July 18.

Meanwhile, the results of three-year farm scale GM crop trials are due in
the autumn.

Soil Association policy manager Gundula Azeez, said: "The Government has
been wrong to support the introduction of GM crops on the basis that they
will bring economic benefits.

"GM food has already been rejected by all the major supermarkets, most large
food manufacturers and the public. If there is no economic need, what reason
is left?

"We should heed the warning from the US, where GM crops have been grown for
the last seven years. Unforeseen collapses in trade and product recalls are
estimated to have cost at least £8 billion since 1999. The UK would face
similar or worse problems."

He said even if a small number of GM crops are grown it is inevitable that
our food supply will be contaminated.

It is unacceptable that the biotechnology companies are demanding that
taxpayers pick up the cost of contamination and the unforeseen effects of GM
food, he added.

"We hope the Strategy Unit will acknowledge that the UK can play a role in
providing non-GM food," he went on.

"The Soil Association believes that a decision to not commercialise will
bring greater economic benefits and will help the Government meet its target
to develop organic farming and to fulfil many of the aims of its sustainable
farming strategy."

Organic farmers fear that if GM crops are introduced to the UK their
businesses will bear extra costs to prevent their goods becoming
contaminated.

The Soil Association said GM had been a disaster for many farmers in North
America and the organic oilseed rape sector in Saskatchewan had almost
collapsed.

Many organic and other GM-free maize farmers have lost sales or received
lower prices because of contamination at a potential cost of more than £60
million annually.

The costs associated with producing non-GM food such as testing are being
carried by organic and non-GM food companies.