NOTE: All the recent letters on GM from Farmers' Guardian.
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Letters, Farmers Guardian
21 March 2008
http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=45&storycode=17307
THE ESRC research study on large scale farmers' views on GM crop growing was based on ignorance rather than fact.
The US Department of Agriculture admits that no GM crop has been modified to increase yields. Rather, that higher yields are related to climatic factors and good management practices.
The USDA reveals that from 1994-2005 Monsanto's Roundup Ready crops have driven a more than 15-fold increase in the use of the herbicide glyphosate.
Added to this is a rise in glyphosate resistant weeds world-wide, thus leading to higher production costs and concerns about the environmental impact.
The use of other herbicides is also increasing, as in the case of 2.4D, a component of agent orange.
I would suggest that those farmers interested in growing GM crops properly research the subject and its adverse impact on both their livelihoods and the environment.
Patricia Ross, Pantsaeson Farm, Moylegrove, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire.
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Letters, Farmers Guardian
21 March 2008
http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=45&storycode=17307
IT was good to read reports of optimistic, forward thinking speeches at the recent NFU conference, but I write to reiterate that we, the public, do not want, and will not buy, GM food.
It must not be foisted upon us, and I believe it is not all that it is cracked up to be.
GM food has not been proven safe for humans. Pat Thomas writes in the Ecologist magazine: 'GM breaks every sacred tenet of science. Where are the double-blind, randomised controlled human trials?
'Animal data is truly frightening, showing sterility and increased neonatal deaths, not to mention cancer, systemic organ failure and allergic reactions'.
Every farmer knows that humus-rich soil holds moisture and carbon, and good compost grows healthier, hardier, sturdier plants than poor soils. The science that is vital is of the soil, ecology and sustainability.
Oil is set to get ever more costly. Petrochemicals will soon be unviable for farmers. Only by understanding the oil crunch and climate change will farmers be able to keep the world population fed.
End of oil, greatly diminished world trade and expectation of annual growth will change life as we know it now.
Farmers will be vital to feed their locality. We will have to learn, again, to be content with enough, and be happy to pay fair and sustainable prices for good food.
J. Folder, Tything Barn, West Williamston, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire.
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Letters, Farmers Guardian
28 March 2008
http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=45&storycode=17307
THE two letter writers from Pembrokeshire (FG, March 21) have obviously done their GM homework.
Perhaps some of our masters in Brussels are having reservations too. They know most consumers do not want GM in their food.
GM crops were hailed as the answer to feed the world and now we have biofuel crops promoted as the answer to the energy crisis. Never forget the main beneficiaries of both will be the biotech and chemical manufacturers.
New forms of technology and science often produce hidden dangers. No proper research has been done on the effects of GM on human health, although various authorities have raised serious concerns. Europe wants a reduction in the use of antibiotics, yet antibiotics along with bacteria, pathogens and chemicals are fired into plant genes to produce GM plants.
The dirty tricks used by US politicians and biotech companies to pass various GM crops are an utter disgrace. What is wanted is sufficient numbers of farmers producing food for our growing population and to halt our dangerous lack of food security. Politics and big business have overruled true science and the realities of today and our future.
Suzanne Greenhill, Cockermouth, Cumbria
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