It was the second session of the Committee’s inquiry into genetically modified (GM) foods and the way in which these are regulated at European level under the precautionary principle.
It focused on attitudes to biotechnology in particular across the general public, consumers and farmers. Witnesses included public engagement experts, consumer groups, trade bodies and representatives of the agricultural sector. Dr Ferrier spoke and answered questions on this following the submitting of written evidence in April this year – the executive summary of the document is below, with the full document available to download at the end of the page.
Executive Summary
- The current EU GM regulations are not fit for purpose, either with respect to the current process or in anticipation of new crop biotechnologies.
- The UK is competitively disadvantaged due to the EU’s stance on GM and other agri-food technologies.
- The UK’s ability to deliver fully for every sector and challenge covered by the Agri-Tech Strategy is compromised.
- Significant cost and uncertainty in the R&D pipeline are key barriers to GM research in the UK.
- The EU regulatory system and institutions do not deal well with issues of hazard and risk in agri-food technologies.
In the session this morning, Dr Ferrier was asked by the Committee if there was any market in which farmers would buy GM seeds, to which she said:
"If a GM seed presents a value to an individual farmer and fits in with their farm business and addresses some of the production challenges that farmers face, then there would certainly be a market to farmers."
To view the full video of the Evidence Hearing click here. Dr Helen Ferrier speaks from 10:35.