CLA & DCAA stage GM debate

CLA press release:

Major Debate Planned for Devon County Show – GM Crops Immoral or inevitable?

A major debate on how we can continue to feed the world will take place on the first day of the Devon County Show later this month.

The debate, which is being organised by the CLA, the rural economy people in conjunction with the Show organisers, has brought together a panel of experts who represent different aspects of farming and food production.

John Mortimer, Director of the CLA in the South West, said: “The issue of food security on a global scale has been slowly bubbling up the political agenda. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation the combined effects of high food prices and the global economic meltdown have pushed more than 100 million people into poverty and hunger. Climate change, question marks over environmental security and water availability will clearly impact on our ability to feed ourselves; but, for many, one issue remains key - and that is the use of biotechnology, or GM foods.”

Expert opinion was, he said, divided with GM companies arguing that, without their techniques, the world has no chance of doubling agricultural output by 2050, as many believe it must. Others have made the case that it is access to food that will be key to reducing world hunger not vast increases in production.

“There is confusion and misunderstanding - perhaps because, too often, the arguments illustrate only one part of the picture. Our debate will simply pose the question:’ GM Foods, Immoral or Inevitable?” and we hope that we can bring some balance to the wider debate and, at the same time,  provide a great curtain raiser to the Devon County Show,” said Mr Mortimer.

Panelists at the CLA Debate include Dr Tina Barsby, chief executive of  The  National Institute of Agricultural Botany; Professor Michael Winter  of the Centre for Rural Policy Research at Exeter University; Dr. Phil Stocker, Director of Farmer and Grower Relations at the Soil Association; David Camp, a beef and sheep farmer and Chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee for Devon YFC; Archie Montgomery Farmer and former chairman of the NFU’s South West Arable Committee and  Neil Parish, the former chairman of the European Parliament’s Agricultural Committee who is MP for Honiton and Crediton.

The event, which will be held in the Vice President’s Marquee within the Members’ Area, starts at 8.00 a.m. and will be chaired by Henry Robinson, the CLA’s national vice president who is an arable farmer in Gloucestershire.

Devon Show Secretary, Ollie Allan, said: One of the great things about agricultural shows is that they provide an ideal platform for those involved in the food chain to talk about the really important issues of the moment. There is no more important issue in European agriculture than whether we should use GM technology.

“The Show and the CLA have a long track record of working together and we both want to use the Show to give farmers the chance to hear from people who are involved with the issues surrounding GM and help them to make up their minds about food production in the future.”

Admission to the event, which is sponsored by Stephens Scown and Arbuthnot Latham,  is by ticket only which are available from the CLA on 01249 700213.

Notes to Editors:

Journalists who would like to attend the event will also need a ticket to gain entry to the Vice Presidents’ Pavilion. To apply for a ticket, of for further information, please contact Paul Millard. CLA SW Communications Manager on 01380 830179 or 07831 674345

For Further Information on the CLA go to www.cla.org.uk