Reacting to news today that the Gates Foundation has awarded British scientists with a £6.4m grant to develop GM cereals, Friends of the Earth Food and Farming Campaigner Kirtana Chandrasekaran said:

"With the global population rising fast and climate change impacts starting to bite we need to invest in tackling the world's food problems - but GM crops are not the solution.

"The reality of GM crops to date is chemical-heavy production that degrades soil, drains water and rides roughshod over local communities.

"GM crops have over-promised and under-delivered - this grant would be better spent helping developing countries build on their traditional knowledge to develop diverse and resilient farming systems that meet local needs." 

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. For more information see a recent Friends of the Earth briefing on GM crops and food security.