Farmers toil to combat soya ‘scare’

Remember to bookmark our Web site address: http://www.marketing-week.co.uk/mw0001.

I must stress that British farmers and growers are not undertaking a battle with supermarkets over the labelling of genetically modified food, “Storm over genetic food” (MW September 20).

The problem arises from sales of genetically modified US soya. At present, there will be no way of determining whether UK food contains genetically modified soya or not. Producers share in the supermarkets’ concern over this point.

On the one hand, this new technology provides potential benefits to the producer, including increased production efficiency; animal health and welfare improvements; environmental benefits; new market opportunities; and improved marketability of produce.

The reverse side is the uncer-tainty surrounding the possible ef-fect on the agricultural environment as well as the wider natural environment.

British farmers and growers are aware of the possible repercussions of failing to provide proper information and are therefore working alongside the entire British food industry to find a solution.

Ben Boot

Chairman

National Farmers Union

Biotechnology Working Party

London WC2