A field of organic crops
The farmers, Corky Jones, Jim Goodman and John Kinsman, addressed packed and lively farmers meetings in Norwich, Lincoln and Dundee to debate the American experience of growing GM crops. They also held a series of successful meetings with MPs and the media.
Their main message to farmers in this country was don't believe the biotech industry hype about genetically modified crops. They don't provide a solution to the current farming crisis.
The group challenged the view that the fact that US farmers have been growing GM crops for the past few years proves that they are 'safe'. They maintained that the growth of the GM industry in the States has been a result of lack of public awareness about the technology and not proof that GM crops pose no problems. They highlighted the lack of environmental monitoring of GM crops in the U.S. and pointed to a recent study which found Monarch butterfly larvae are actually killed by GM corn pollen.
Doubts were also expressed about claims that GM crops mean reduced pesticide use and increasing crop yields. The US experience has apparently showed a variety of experiences across the country, with no clear overall trends.
The group also warned farmers to watch out for being landed with the legal liability for any environmental and health problems caused by growing GM crops.
At the end of the week, the only complaint about the tour seemed to be, why didn't it last longer and come to my area of Britain!
