Monsanto Company (Press Release)

Monsanto Welcomes Select Committee Report On Genetically Modified Food

Monsanto today welcomed the House of Lords Select Committee Report on Genetic Modification in Agriculture.

"This is the second major Report in five months to look comprehensively at the science behind biotechnology. Like the Royal Society, the Select Committee has concluded that it can offer great potential benefits to agriculture, industry, consumers and the environment," said Ann Foster, Director, Government and Public Affairs Monsanto UK.

"We're pleased that such an exhaustive investigation - which included input from more than 50 scientific, consumer, environmental and commercial groups - has helped the House of Lords distinguish scientific fact from science fiction. Clearly, we are now moving towards a sensible discussion of the science, and away from scare stories and myths. We welcome this," she added.

The Select Committee concluded that:

· there is no reason to doubt the safety of genetically modified (GM) food that has been approved by regulatory bodies

· an outright moratorium on the growing of GM crops is inappropriate

· the destruction of GM crops by opponents should be condemned

· biotechnology can offer great potential benefits to agriculture, industry, consumers and the environment

Monsanto also welcomed the Committee's conclusion that the risks involved in genetic modification can be controlled. And it recognised the need for effective regulation.

"Strict regulation and monitoring of GM crops is important. But the Committee recognises in its Report that it would be extremely damaging if access to this technology was subjected to inappropriate impediments. We share this view. And we hope that this Report will play an important role in future discussions about the value and benefits of biotechnology."

For further information, please contact:

Alex Woolfall
Bell Pottinger Good Relations 0171 631 3434

Dan Verakis
Public Affairs Manager, Monsanto 0171 495 8455