It?s way forward, says Former EU farm commissioner

EUROPE'S former farming commissioner has said that biotech crops might be
the only way for the world to feed itself ? if climate change keeps
accelerating.

Franz Fischler also said the time had come for a new debate on the
controversial issue of using genetically modified plants in Europe.

He told the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists congress in
Austria that the discussion on GM had become ideological, rather than based
on fact.

Mr Fischler said that, with all international experts pointing to increasing
climate change, the use of GM had to be considered.

He added: ?The real challenge is just how fast climate change is and how
fast nature can adapt to that. If climate change is faster than nature can
adapt, then the only way out for us is to use biotech.

?It is important to think about the fundamentals (of GM). This is what is
needed. We need a more realistic approach to the discussion."

Mr Fischler questioned why the various approaches taken to food safety
globally were not used for GM and an entirely different stance taken ?
particularly in Europe where resistance to the technology remained
considerable.

He said the biggest problem up to now in gaining consumer support for
biotech in Europe had been in the agricultural sector and those behind the
technology being unable to communicate the benefits of it. ?If you can buy a
non-GM product for the same price you can get a GM product for in a
supermarket, then there is no chance of GM succeeding," he added.

He was in no doubt that GM was the way forward. ?We should not ignore the
problems that are ahead of us. Biotech must play a role if we are serious."

The former commissioner saw particular uses for biotech in providing the
fuels of the future.

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