To claim that you can predict the long term effects of such radical change represents arrogance of an extreme kind. The truth is that science still remains hugely ignorant in many areas, and especially in the field of genetic manipulation. Unless action is taken quickly the majority of our food will include genetically engineered components within only a few years. Genetically engineered food crops are already being grown in the UK and research shows that they are starting to cross breed in the wild with related natural plant varieties who then inherit the modified components. You can slaughter a BSE infected cow, but you cannot recall a genetically engineered plant from the wild once its starts breeding with its natural relatives.
Pollination takes place over large distances carried by the wind and insects.
The introduction of this experimental technology is highly irresponsible. Austria, France, Italy, and Luxembourg have all recently introduced bans on the growing of genetically engineered maize imported from the United States, and the European Commission has been formally censured by the European Parliament for allowing commercial interests in this area to override health and environmental considerations. In fact, Brazil is now able to gain a premium on world markets for its Soya precisely because it is not genetically engineered. If Hampshire wants to destroy the future of its agriculture then more shallow thinking from the NFU on this subject is certainly going to help. Yours faithfully, William Treend Natural Law Party Candidate for Portsmouth South, General Election 1997.