Menu
10/12/2012
Environment Secretary Backs GM Foods
The UK Environment Secretary has openly backed the growing of genetically modified (GM) food.
Owen Paterson cited "environmental benefits" when explaining his decision to back the technology.
He said concerns about the impact on human health were "complete nonsense".
It is thought ministers could relax control on the cultivation of GM crops.
No GM crops have ever been grown commercially in the British countryside, but small-scale cultivation trials have recently been allowed to take place.
Mr Paterson was speaking to the Daily Telegraph.
He said: "Emphatically we should be looking at GM…I'm very clear it would be a good thing.
"The trouble is all this stuff about Frankenstein foods and putting poisons in foods.
"There are real benefits, and what you've got to do is sell the real environmental benefits."
It is argued that GM food can increase crop yield and avoid the need for pesticides, but many campaigners opposed the introduction of the food to the UK in the 1990s.
Mr Paterson said: "There's about 160m hectares of GM being grown around the world.
"There isn't a single piece of meat being served [in a typical London restaurant] where a bullock hasn't eaten some GM feed.”
The comments follow a recent consultation by the British government on new "agri tech" measures to boost British farming.
Mr Paterson told the Telegraph he was confident David Cameron would find an "appropriate moment" to back GM food.
"I'm very clear it would be a good thing," he said. "So you'd discuss it within government, you'd discuss it at a European level and you'd need to persuade the public."
(IT)
Owen Paterson cited "environmental benefits" when explaining his decision to back the technology.
He said concerns about the impact on human health were "complete nonsense".
It is thought ministers could relax control on the cultivation of GM crops.
No GM crops have ever been grown commercially in the British countryside, but small-scale cultivation trials have recently been allowed to take place.
Mr Paterson was speaking to the Daily Telegraph.
He said: "Emphatically we should be looking at GM…I'm very clear it would be a good thing.
"The trouble is all this stuff about Frankenstein foods and putting poisons in foods.
"There are real benefits, and what you've got to do is sell the real environmental benefits."
It is argued that GM food can increase crop yield and avoid the need for pesticides, but many campaigners opposed the introduction of the food to the UK in the 1990s.
Mr Paterson said: "There's about 160m hectares of GM being grown around the world.
"There isn't a single piece of meat being served [in a typical London restaurant] where a bullock hasn't eaten some GM feed.”
The comments follow a recent consultation by the British government on new "agri tech" measures to boost British farming.
Mr Paterson told the Telegraph he was confident David Cameron would find an "appropriate moment" to back GM food.
"I'm very clear it would be a good thing," he said. "So you'd discuss it within government, you'd discuss it at a European level and you'd need to persuade the public."
(IT)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 September 2004
British shoppers still turned off by GM food: survey
A majority of British consumers still do not feel comfortable with genetically modified (GM) food, according to a Which? Magazine survey.
British shoppers still turned off by GM food: survey
A majority of British consumers still do not feel comfortable with genetically modified (GM) food, according to a Which? Magazine survey.
25 September 2003
Beckett 'reflects' on mounting dissatisfaction with GM foods
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has said that she will "reflect carefully" on the findings of the public debate on GM foods. The findings of the consultation reveal that more than half of those surveyed were against the introduction of GM crops.
Beckett 'reflects' on mounting dissatisfaction with GM foods
Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has said that she will "reflect carefully" on the findings of the public debate on GM foods. The findings of the consultation reveal that more than half of those surveyed were against the introduction of GM crops.
20 June 2013
Environment Secretary Says GM Crops 'Probably Safer'
The environment secretary, Owen Paterson, has called on the government to focus efforts on the production of GM crops, saying they are "probably safer" than ordinary crops.
Environment Secretary Says GM Crops 'Probably Safer'
The environment secretary, Owen Paterson, has called on the government to focus efforts on the production of GM crops, saying they are "probably safer" than ordinary crops.
19 May 2003
Meacher's GM crops comments draws fire
Friends of the Earth has reacted angrily today to comments made by Environment Minister Michael Meacher suggesting that the government could allow GM crops to be grown commercially in the UK – without the public getting a say on the issue.
Meacher's GM crops comments draws fire
Friends of the Earth has reacted angrily today to comments made by Environment Minister Michael Meacher suggesting that the government could allow GM crops to be grown commercially in the UK – without the public getting a say on the issue.
09 March 2004
Commercial planting of GM maize gets go ahead
The government has said today that it has agreed "in principle" to the commercial cultivation of GM herbicide-tolerant maize. Mrs Beckett said she did not anticipate any commercial cultivation of GM maize "before spring 2005 at the earliest".
Commercial planting of GM maize gets go ahead
The government has said today that it has agreed "in principle" to the commercial cultivation of GM herbicide-tolerant maize. Mrs Beckett said she did not anticipate any commercial cultivation of GM maize "before spring 2005 at the earliest".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
