Campaigning against the use of Genetically Modified crops in Britain is “morally unacceptable”, according to the former head of the UK arm of protest group Greenpeace.
Stephen Tindale accused green groups like Greenpeace of “putting ideology before the need for humanitarian action” by repeatedly targeting the development of GM crops in the UK.
GM seeds, which are made by altering their genetic material, can increase yields for farmers by introducing resistance to certain pest and diseases.
Over the past two decades European Union scientists have passed 40 crops as safe; yet only one – a GM version of maize – is grown in Spain as animal feed.
Tindale was a major critic of the GM industry when he ran Greenpeace UK from 2001 to 2005. Greenpeace International is a leading opponent of GM crops.
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But speaking on a BBC Panorama programme, titled “GM Food – Cultivating Fear”, on Monday night, he said: “The overwhelming majority of scientists think that it is safe. It is in my view unacceptable, morally unacceptable to stand out against these new technologies.”
He continued: “I worry for Greenpeace and the other green groups because they could, by taking such a hard line on GM, they could be seen to be putting ideology before the need for humanitarian action.”
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