Stratford-
upon-Avon
Herald

I have read the propaganda from environmental organisations as well as biotechnology companies. I have discussed the subject with independent scientists. I have visited existing trial sites for GM sugar beet, fodder beet, maize and oilseed rape, and discussed the issues with local farmers across the region. There is always more to learn, but I now feel much better informed.

The trials are not to test whether these particular crops are safe to eat. Their safety has been established a good while ago: over a hundred million acres were successfully grown in North America alone last year. The trials are designed to measure the effects on the UK environment, specifically insects, birds and other wildlife. I believe that when the trials are completed and the results published, environmentalists in particular could be amazed.

By making GM crops resistant to "ordinary" weed-killers, these can now be used instead of more frequent applications of much more toxic chemicals. If the trials confirm this, the consequence should be less pollution of the earth, the air and the water, and probably more insects and other wildlife too.

As someone who cares about the environment, I find this an exciting prospect. Given there should also be less chemical residue on the crops themselves, and therefore on the food we eat, as a consumer that suits me too.

Meanwhile, diabetics should be thankful that insulin is now purer, safer and widely available because for years it has been produced from GM bacteria rather than animal pancreases. Cheese is better because the rennet is also GM - as a processing aid it just doesn't have to be labelled GM. We all need more such information to put our fears at rest.

Philip Bushill-Matthews MEP