FSA has squandered GM goodwill

Grocer, May 17, 2003 by Ben Ayliffe

SIR; Clive Beddall (Saturday Essay, May 10, p26) believes sound science is the only way to allay consumers' fears of eating GM foods.

However, as public attitude research across Europe has demonstrated, "sound scientific information" is unable to answer many of the questions people have about GM foods--questions such as why we need GMOs, who will benefit from them, and what plans exist for remedial action if and when unforeseen harmful impacts occur?

The notion that the Food Standards Agency must prompt the debate on GM foods will, frankly, start alarm bells ringing in many people's ears.

The FSA appears to have concealed some important conclusions from its recent Citizen's Jury, including that the jury unanimously did not want GM crops grown in the UK. So much for "a policy of openness".

Mr Beddall fails to mention recent critics of the FSA's behaviour also include the National Consumer Council, as well as the Consumers' Association, one of the main advocates for the FSA's formation, and who have been very reluctant to criticise it.

At its conception, the FSA had plenty of goodwill from civil society groups who were looking for a fresh start for food policy.

That goodwill has been squandered in a dubious attempt to shore up GM food.

from Ben Ayliffe, GM campaigner, Greenpeace UK