In comments published in today’s Guardian, Clare Oxborrow reinforces the position held by Friends of The Earth. She correctly points to the fact that GM remains dominated by only a few global representatives and that little has been achieved in the area of productivity benefits or further reassurance regarding long-term environmental outcomes. After 30 years of research, we are looking at small numbers of commodity crops which are mostly used for stock feed. Despite the early claims, pesticide use has increased as a consequence of GM technologies and there is greater likelihood of GM contamination in a significant number of important food resources. A recent concern raised by GM Freeze is the UK government’s apparent rush to support...

It’s sometimes difficult to believe that the widespread application of GE in agriculture dates only from 1996. This suggests that there is much to learn about the environmental and health implications of the technology. There are strong indications of consumer resistance to GE products and growing preferences for safe food options, particularly organically certified and holistic foods free of chemical and other contaminants. The unwarranted introduction of GE materials poses a threat to organic producers and the concerned consumer who prefers to avoid undisclosed risk. Seeds of Distrust, written by Nicky Hager, explores the anti-democratic influence of big business in New Zealand and how political expediency, self-interest and the abuse...