Scotsman

Potential For GM Is Long-Term

Supermarkets who have announced they will ban meat produced from animals fed any genetically modified produce are simply "short-term opportunists" said a leading agricultural economist this week.

Professor Sir John Marsh of Reading University, said: "Companies banning GM crop use in animal feed are doing a major disservice to their own credibility. It's a short-term opportunist reaction which will rebound on them."

Marsh told fellows and associates of the Royal Agricultural Societies meeting at Ingliston that there was great long-term potential for GM crops, although shorter resistance from a "rich, fickle and neurotic" public might continue.

Resistance, he suggested, would gradually be overcome as the potential of GM crops, and livestock, for medical use was appreciated. "I think common sense will prevail. Large areas of the world are already benefiting from GM technology with no ill effects. The British public reaction is always more visceral than cerebral, but even it will have to accept GMs," he added.

Marsh outlined five main possibilities for the industry.

One is to supply conspicuous consumption niche-markets - the more you pay, the better food tastes. Option two could be designer branded foods. Option three is the commodity producer at world prices whose survival will depend on making full use of new technology and first class management.

Option four will be what Marsh called "amenity farming", eg horses and option five will be "eating the view", that is being paid to provide wildlife habitats and biodiversity.

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