Anti-GM victory in European court 'draws line in sand'

Published on Wednesday 18 February 2009 20:57

THE cultivation of genetically modified crops is not illegal in the EU, but their proponents have found little support over the years.

A pronouncement yesterday by the European Court of Justice will have done nothing to advance the GM argument.

The case revolved around a small French community close to Strasbourg who argued they were entitled to have knowledge of any GM crops in their vicinity.

The judges supported that contention, and the ruling has been warmly welcomed by Alyn Smith MEP, the only Scottish member of the influential EU agricultural committee.

Smith said: "This is a significant judgment, and puts a very clear line in the sand for those who seek to undermine by stealth the EU's opposition to GM crops. This issue is regularly raised with me as I travel across Scotland, and I am quite clear in my mind that anything that risks our reputation in the eyes of the public for healthy, wholesome local food production must be viewed with extreme caution.

"The SNP government's policy on GM is spot-on, and a calm, measured rational stance compared to the hysteria we see from some quarters.

"Right or wrong, the public hysteria which could be whipped up over GM cultivation could see a food scare to dwarf all previous scares. It is right that we jealously guard Scotland's healthy, wholesome reputation."

Smith's views and those of his SNP colleagues at Holyrood are well known, but farmers and leaders of the scientific community fail to understand why politicians will not at least consider the options and allow trials of GM crops in Scotland.

That argument was put to First Minister Alex Salmond at last year's Royal Highland Show. Salmond was dismissive, despite arguments that Scotland has been responsible for many major scientific and agricultural advances in the past 200 years.

However, there is a consensus that the topic has not been well handled by international companies pushing GM technology.

Smith said: "The actions of some companies have not been helpful and in many instances we have seen questionable behaviour from them, not least in the developing world.

"I also do not accept the argument put forward by some that the European anti-GM stance hinders research globally. South America, North America, Africa and China and plenty of other places are open for GM experiments, yet we have not seen the oft-promised super-crop. Likewise, I see no cost advantages to European farmers from the adoption of GM."

Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment, is certain to come under pressure on the subject of GM crops during the next two days when he attends the annual general meeting of NFU Scotland in Aviemore.