The Environment Secretary has firmly set out his stall as a champion for the use of genetically modified (GM) crops in the UK.
Giving a keynote speech in Hertfordshire today, Owen Paterson said the UK was the natural home for scientific research and that the Government would work with companies to overcome any barriers to them setting up here.
Opponents concerned about the long-term environmental effects of GM foods responded with a warning of the dangers they see in introducing the new technology.
Mr Paterson told the audience GM crops were grown by 17.3 million farmers in 28 countries on 170 million hectares last year. He said Europe risked "being left behind" if it did not adopt GM practices.
He said: "Farmers wouldn't grow these crops if they didn't benefit from doing so. Governments wouldn't licence these technologies if they didn't recognise the economic, environmental and public benefits. Consumers wouldn't buy these products if they didn't think they were safe and cost effective.
"At the moment Europe is missing out. Less than 0.1per cent of global GM cultivation occurred in the EU. While the rest of the world is ploughing ahead and reaping the benefits of new technologies, Europe risks being left behind. We cannot afford to let that happen. The use of GM could be as transformative as the original agricultural revolution was. The UK should be at the forefront of that now, as it was then.
"I want the UK to have a leading role in feeding the world and increasing the resilience of global food supplies, not standing by watching others take the lead and forge ahead. The UK is the natural home for science research. I want companies and research providers to know that the UK is the best place for them to carry out their research. If there are barriers preventing them from setting up their research and development activities here, this Government will help overcome them."
Mr Paterson's speech will heighten the controversy over the introduction of GM foods to the UK.
GeneWatch UK claimed Mr Paterson was acting as an ambassador for the GM industry.
Dr Helen Wallace, Director of GeneWatch UK, said: "Paterson appears to be deaf, dumb and blind when it comes to any science not peddled by big corporations. Only industry-funded research shows any benefits from GM crops, which do not increase yields and are having harmful effects on the environment in North and South America."
