GM CROP TRIALS COULD POSE THREAT TO LAND VALUES

March 9th 2004. "Landowners should tread cautiously with GM crops," warns Mark Hudson, President of the Country Land and Business Association, responding to Margaret Beckett's announcement to agree in principle to the commercial cultivation of GM herbicide-tolerant forage maize in the UK.

Mark Hudson continues: "This is a brave decision on the part of the Secretary of State. It is based on careful scientific evaluation of the information available, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Release in the Environment (ACRE), and has been considered, as all genetic modification should be, on a case-by-case basis."

"In principle the CLA welcomes the application of safe, well-tested new technologies to produce higher quality, more pest and disease-resistant crops."

"However, while there is no evidence of risks to human health from consuming products derived from currently licensed GM crops, we support consumers' right to know if their food contains ingredients which have been derived from GM crops. There is also concern on the part of organic producers about potential cross contamination from GM varieties."

"Given that consumer reactions to foods containing GM ingredients are unpredictable, and these in turn depend partly on commercial decisions taken by food processors and retailers, the CLA is warning landowners that GM crop trials may pose a threat to land values."

"Landowners' property and crops may also be vulnerable to attack from GM opponents.  We advise our members to be cautious when considering whether to participate in crop trials and whether, when it is available, to plant GM crops, and if they do so, to consider obtaining full indemnity."

"There are still a number of practical issues that must be resolved, particularly that of "co-existence" - whether it is possible to grow GM varieties in the UK without the risk of unacceptably contaminating conventional and organic crops."

Notes to the Editor:

For more information please contact CLA Chief Economist Professor Allan Buckwell on 020 7460 7937 or CLA Press Officer Jenny Gimpel on 020 7460 7936, Mobile 07855 788 985.