Date published: 2005/03/16
The BBC says:
The president of US biotechnology giant Monsanto says genetically-modified crops could be grown in the UK within five to 10 years.
Hugh Grant told Radio 4's Farming Today programme that his firm's research suggests the majority of UK farmers want the chance to grow GM crops.
Following a five-year national debate, the government said last year GM crops can be grown on certain conditions.
Critics say more research is needed to determine if GM crops are safe.
Monsanto, which pioneered GM crops, announced it would close its European seed cereal business in the UK in 2003.
Mr Grant told the programme he finds the pace of change in Europe frustratingly slow and rejects the view that UK consumers are worried about the safety of GM products.
He says more than 1bn acres of GM crops have been planted around the world and farmers from China to Brazil are literally reaping the benefits.
He also insisted that GM technology could be used in future to produce a range of crops with distinct health benefits.
However, a spokeswoman for Friends of the Earth said biotechnology firms have been promising such "super crops" for years and failing to deliver and that much more research is needed into the effects of GM food.
The usual wishful thinking from Monsanto in support of GM crops and the usual disingenuous talk from FoE in opposition to GM crops. Europe will be left in the GM backwater, which no doubt pleases the FoE and their supporters in the chattering classes.
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