Farmers’ dismay as Government bans GM crops

Reputation: Move is to safeguard future of Scotland’s food and drink industry

A farming leader has voiced disappointment over the Scottish Government’s move to ban genetically modified crops

Scott Walker, NFU Scotland Chief Executive, said the country should be embracing biotechnology to keep up with other nations.

Ministers have claimed they are not prepared to “gamble with the future” of Scotland’s £14 billion food and drink sector.

The Scottish Government will request an opt-out from European consents for the cultivation of GM crops, including an EU approved variety of genetically modified maize and six other GM crops that are awaiting authorisation.

Mr Walker said: “We are disappointed that the Scottish Government has decided that no GM crops should ever be grown in Scotland.

“Other countries are embracing biotechnology where appropriate and we should be open to doing the same here in Scotland.

“Decisions should be taken on the individual merits of each variety, based on science and determined by whether the variety will deliver overall benefit.”

“What we want is an open debate that then allows decisions to be taken from an informed position reflecting current technology.”

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said banning genetically modified crops would protect and further enhance the country’s “clean, green status”.

He added: “There is no evidence of significant demand for GM products by Scottish consumers and I am concerned that allowing GM crops to be grown in Scotland would damage our clean and green brand, thereby gambling with the future of our £14 billion food and drink sector.

“I have heard directly from food and drink producers in other countries that are ditching GM because of a consumer backlash.

“That is why I strongly support the continued application of the precautionary principle in relation to GM crops and intend to take full advantage of the flexibility allowed under these new EU rules to ban GM crops from being grown in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government has longstanding concerns about GM crops – concerns that are shared by other European countries and consumers, and which should not be dismissed lightly.

“I firmly believe that GM policy in Scotland should be guided by what’s best for our economy and our own agricultural sector rather than the priorities of others. I recently kicked off a national discussion on the future of Scottish agriculture, and welcome views from all sides of the GM debate.”

Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “Opting out of growing geneticallymodified crops is the right move for Scotland.

“Cultivation of GM crops would harm our environment and our reputation for high quality food and drink.

“GM is not the answer to food security, and would represent further capture of our food by big business.

“Most consumers want meat, eggs and dairy labelled to show whether they come from animals fed on GM feed. The Scottish Government needs to challenge big retailers to improve their labelling so that we have real choice as shoppers.”