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Rural land managers advise clients: don't grow GM crops
10 June 1999
A survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), published today, reveals that Britain's rural land managers have serious concerns about the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops.
The survey reveals a number of concerns over the planting of GM crops, including:
.Over 75 per cent would advise landlords not to allow tenants to grow GM crops, and nearly 73 per cent would advise tenants not to grow GM crops on their land.
.Nearly 58 per cent believe growing GM crops could affect land values, with over 63 per cent saying that the previous or present growing of GM crops would make the land harder to sell.
.Over 77 per cent of respondents' clients are said to be concerned about neighbours growing GM crops, with 73 per cent concerned about land values and over 71 per cent concerned about legal implications.
Pete Riley, food campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"Farmers growing GM crops are not only threatening the environment, they are also putting at risk the value of their land, and the land of neighbouring farmers. Anyone thinking about growing these crops should think again: it could be commercial suicide. The UK Government should be helping British farmers to meet the growing demand for GM-free food rather than threatening the countryside with GM pollution."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
