Meacher Says GM 'not necessary'

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Tuesday, 18 February 2003

In an interview with The Ecologist magazine published today, Mr Meacher, the minister responsible for GM food, said biotechnology was "not necessary" to feed the world and raised fears that genetically modified crops could present a long-term health risk to consumers.

"The real problem is whether 10, 20, 30 years down the track, serious and worrying things happen that none of us ever predicted," he said. "It's these sorts of totally unpredicted problems that make me cautious."

Mr Meacher also took a swipe at Lord Sainsbury, the Science minister, who is linked to biotechnology firms.

Pointing out that the Government does not have the money or manpower to conduct its own tests, Mr Meacher doubted whether food companies can be trusted to give objective advice.

"The question is, can we trust the companies and be sure that they are telling us all they know? When asked if the system [of testing] is adequate, it is difficult to give the answer, 'Yes'. The system is trusting and that is worrying."

Mr Meacher’s comments have caused ‘creative tension’ among his colleagues with Margaret Becket describing them as ‘his views’. Tony Blair has made it very clear in the past that he is a supporter of GM technology.

Source: www.theecologist.org and The Independent