Poor crops fuel GM
food debate
Source:
September 10, 2008
via CheckBiotech
Pigeons and rotten summer weather have led to poor crops
this summer which could increase demand for genetically modified food,
according to a farm manager.
Innes McEwan, who heads the farm operation at Jealott’s
Hill Farm in Warfield, said this year’s reduced-quality wheat harvest could
lead to a sharp increase in bread prices.
And as a result, consumers might be more receptive to the
idea of GM crops to make bread.
Innes, 38, said: “There is now an opportunity for GM foods
to help strike a balance while people are struggling for food.
“I cannot make it clear enough that we don’t grow GM crops
here. We even go to lengths to make sure our dairy cows are not fed on
genetically modified soya.
“But if the consumers are interested in eating food
involving GM crops then the market will follow.”
Innes, whose farm is run by global biotech farming research
company Syngenta, added: “The harvest has been very
difficult this year. We’ve been struggling with the weather just like everyone
else.
“The wheat has been okay in terms of quantity but the
quality has been hit. This can have a knock-on to bread prices. There is plenty
of wheat to feed to animals but not enough good wheat for milling.”
The weather was not the only problem to affect crops.
“Over the winter the oilseed rape plants were like a salad
course for the local pigeons. Initially we had a lush, green crop and the
pigeons obviously noticed that as well!
“It certainly knocked the crop. Normally we measure 3.75 tonnes per hectare, this year it was nearer three tonnes.”
Source:
greenbio.checkbiotech.org