Farmers’ union attacks move to ban GM crops

“Scotland food and drink sector is worth £14 billion annually and this a vital growth sector in Scotland, so banning growing GM crops will protect and further enhance Scotland’s clean, green status – and our nation’s appeal on the world stage”.

He added: “The Scottish Government has long-standing concerns about GM crops – concerns that are shared by other European countries and consumers, and which should not be dismissed lightly”.

Scottish ministers have been accused of ignoring scientific evidence after they announced plans to ban the growing of genetically modified crops in Scotland.

Scotland’s rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead has claimed that the state government aims to opt out EU’s agreement on producing some GM crops, such as cultivating of various kinds of modified maize, the BBC reported. Scotland’s devolved government said today it intended to ban the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops on its territory to protect its “clean and green brand” and because there was little evidence that Scottish consumers wanted GM products.

“While the Scottish Government’s decision is a step in the right direction, we need to see ministers go further”.

The Scottish Government has taken advantage of new EU laws to outlaw the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops. Most consumers want meat, eggs and dairy labelled to show whether they come from animals fed on GM feed.

“If approved, this decision serves to remove the freedom of Scottish farmers and narrows their choice of crop varieties to cultivate in the future.”

Equally critical of the decision was Huw Jones, professor of molecular genetics at Rothamsted Research, who has described it as a “sad day” for Scotland.

“GM policy in Scotland should be guided by what’s best for our economy”.

The move by Scottish officials has been generally welcomed by environment groups. “It means that other countries that are going to adopt this – and I would call it biotechnology rather than GM – and that will affect our efficiency and our farmers’ ability to compete with our neighbours”, Andrew McCornick a vice-president of the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) told the Scotsman. “These crops could have a role in shaping sustainable agriculture at some point and at the same time protecting the environment which we all cherish in Scotland”.

“There are two specific issues here for Scotland: if the rest of the UK moves to encourage GM foods and Scotland doesn’t, our farmers will be at a competitive disadvantage, and secondly, a lot of our research institutes which are keen to pursue this technology will lose talent”.