Page 18 - AUA Traveller Aug 10

Scotland to
ban GMO crop
GROWING
SCOTLAND is to ban the growing
of genetically modified crops, the
country’s rural affairs secretary has
announced.Richard Lochhead said
the Scottish government was not
prepared to “gamble” with the future
of the country’s £14bn food and drink
sector. He is to request that Scotland be its “clean, green
excluded from any European consents
for the cultivation of GM crops.
But farming leaders said they were
disappointed by the move. Under
EU rules, GM crops must be formally
authorised before they can be
cultivated.
An amendment came into force
earlier this year which allows member
states and devolved administrations
to restrict or ban the cultivation of
genetically modified organisms within
their territory.
‘Consumer backlash’
Mr Lochhead said Scotland’s request
for opt-outs from GM crop consent
would cover an EU approved variety
of genetically modified maize and
six other GM crops that are awaiting
authorisation.
He said that Scotland was known around
the world for its “beautiful natural
18 INTERNATIONAL
environment” environment “Other
and banning and reputation for high quality food countries are embracing biotechnology
the growing and drink. But she called on ministers where appropriate and we should
of genetically to go further by challenging big be open to doing the same here in
modified crops retailers to improve their labelling to Scotland,” he said. “These crops could
would protect and show whether meat, eggs and dairy have a role in shaping sustainable
further enhance products come from animals fed on GM agriculture at some point and at the
feed. same time protecting the environment
status”. which we all cherish in Scotland.”
Mr Lochhead ‘Embracing biotechnology’ Huw Jones, professor of molecular
added: “There The move has also been broadly genetics at agricultural science group
is no evidence welcomed by environment groups. Rothamsted Research, said the
of significant But Scott Walker, chief executive of announcement was a “sad day for
demand for GM farming union NFU Scotland, said he science and a sad day for Scotland. He
products by Scottish consumers and was disappointed that the Scottish said that GM crops approved by the EU
I am concerned that allowing GM crops government had decided that no GM were “safe for humans, animals and the
to be grown in Scotland would damage crops should ever be grown in Scotland. environment”.
our clean and green brand, thereby
gambling with the future of our £14bn
food and drink sector.
“Scottish food and drink is valued at
home and abroad for its natural, high
quality which often attracts a premium
price, and I have heard directly from
food and drink producers in other
countries that are ditching GM because
of a consumer backlash.”
The announcement was welcomed by
Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone,
who agreed that the cultivation of
GM crops would harm the country’s
Monday, August 10 2015 - ARUBA TRAVELLER