June 9, 2008

UK biosecurity company sees GM crops as solution for food shortages

UK's MAF Biosecurity recently said that GM crops for livestock feed are needed to remedy world food crisis.

Barry O'Neil, the deputy director of MAF Biosecurity and president of the World Organisation for Animal Health, said that the introduction of GM crops holds the most promise in raising productivity.

By 2050, the world will need twice as much food from half as much land, O'Neil explained.

He added that livestock farmers need access to GM crop technology if they are to help feed the growing world population.

Meanwhile, Jon Carapiet from GE Free New Zealand pointed out that a study by the UN shows GM crop growing is not the answer to solving the world's food supply.

Carapiet said that there is enough food to feed the world's population, as long as failures in the global food system are addressed.