Letter to the Editor.
Dear Editor,
On your site today I noticed the piece in the agricultural section advocating a strong development of our industry outside the EU. I found the statement by Stephen James most chilling:
‘NFU Cymru President Stephen James added: “Welsh farmers understand the role that science can play in driving our industry even further forward. If we are to remain competitive then it is essential that all decisions relating to the use of pesticides, herbicides and new technologies must be based on sound science and evidence. A risk, rather than a hazard or precautionary-based approach, is needed.’
In the recent Brexit vote I chose to remain, not out of fear of returning border posts but, because I believed that the Green Party, which is stronger in Europe, might offer us greater protection against the introduction of GMO crops.
Wherever these crops are introduced health subsequently suffers. Argentina rebuilt its economy after the war based on GM agriculture. It now suffers from high levels of birth defects largely attributed to the excessive use of Glyphosate herbicide which many GM crops have been engineered to tolerate.
In the USA, despite ruinous healthcare costs they rank over 30th in international statistics for health outcomes. There has been a massive rise in autoimmune diseases brought on by destruction of gut microflora. More directly, the strains designed to be ‘BT tolerant’ (Baccillus Thurengis) work by destroying the gut of predator insects. How can this possibly be safe for human consumption? In the USA the relationship between the FDA and government is corrupt.
Scientists at the FDA argued forcefully against the introduction of GM foods but were ignored by the organisation’s leadership. When trials on lab rats continued beyond the three months required for approval they developed large tumours and all died at half the normally expected lifetime.
Other longevity tests show that after three generations test rats become sterile. It is grossly negligent to suggest that a risk-based approach is sufficient. GM crops do not belong in nature and no one has the right to patent our food supply no matter how attractive it might appear to increase revenues of controlling corporations.
Earlier in the article NFU president Meurig Raymond says: “New trade agreements with countries outside the EU must be made on the most favourable terms possible. We cannot risk opening our own market to imports that are not produced to our world leading standards.”
I hope the day never dawns that Northern Ireland’s agricultural heritage, and world leading standards are sacrificed by the introduction of GMOs. When the wider public become aware of the risks our export markets will vanish and once the genie is out of the bottle it is impossible to protect indigenous crops from cross pollination.
This is one of the most pernicious threats to life on the planet. Oppose it at every opportunity.
Yours,
Paul Curran.
(Action Centred Health.)
