GM
The Soil Association campaigns against the use of genetically modified (GM) ingredients in human and animal food and on the commercial planting of GM crops in the UK.
Until there is a ban, then there must be tighter regulations governing the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment and stringent regulations for clear and informative labelling which identifies the inclusion of all GM ingredients or derivatives in foods.
The Soil Association believes that the use of GM has no place in the production of safe and healthy food. Organic farming systems have been designed to produce food with care for human health, the environment and animal welfare. The use of genetically engineered crops is not compatible with this aim. This position is shared by the organic movement worldwide and the majority of the public.
As well as potential risks to wildlife and human health, GM technologies have consistently underperformed, despite claims from the biotech industry that they are necessary to meet the ‘perfect storm’ of climate change, resource depletion and a growing global population.
Despite over 20 years of investment, GM has not increased crop yields. At present only 4 per cent of the world’s agricultural land is GM-farmed, 2 per cent of this in the USA. Where the technology is used, there is increasing evidence that farmers are finding that it does not deliver as promised, and in some cases may lead to increased use of pesticides.
The 2008 International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) report, produced by 400 scientists worldwide concluded that agro-ecological farming, not GM, was the key to feeding future generations sustainably.
Read Peter Melchett's comment on GM: