EXTRACT: Peter Melchett told FG he does not believe the industry is capable of producing complex products able to benefit wider society.

He is also adamant consumer opposition is too entrenched for the technology ever to be accepted in this country and that farmers do not want GM crops.

"Opponents of GM crops are winning the war, not because of media hype or fear, but because the science is supporting them," he said.

NOTE: The pro-GM Farmers Guardian is publishing a "GM special" this coming Friday (28 November).
---
---
Monsanto predicts GM crops coming to UK soon
By Alistair Driver
News Special, Farmers Guardian, 25 November 2008
http://www.farmersguardian.com/story.asp?sectioncode=24&storycode=22839

BIOTECH giant Monsanto is predicting that genetically modified crops will arrive in the UK soon, as the public tires of claims that the technology is unsafe.

Monsanto's head of external affairs, Colin Merritt, insists the biotech industry has learned its lessons from the past and is developing and marketing the next generation of GM products with the consumer very much in mind.

Speaking to Farmers Guardian as part of our special on the future of GM crops in the UK, he admits the biotech industry got it wrong first time round by focussing only on the farmer as a customer.

"When there's nothing obvious to show consumers as a benefit they don't buy into it," he admitted.

But he believes that when 'genuine benefits' are demonstrated consumers will ‘buy into’ GM food, easing the path for new products.

"I think we will see GM will come in to the UK quite quickly. The public will eventually get tired of this debate. You can't keep saying it is unsafe and all the rest of it without presenting some hard evidence," he said.

However, opponents of GM crops believe the biotech industry will never win the battle in the UK.

Soil Association policy director Peter Melchett told FG he does not believe the industry is capable of producing complex products able to benefit wider society.

He is also adamant consumer opposition is too entrenched for the technology ever to be accepted in this country and that farmers do not want GM crops.

"The consumer will have the last word. Opponents of GM crops are winning the war, not because of media hype or fear, but because the science is supporting them," he said.