EUROPEAN consumers鈥� opposition to genetically engineered soya beans took the
American company that developed them by surprise. Monsanto鈥檚 European
representatives made the admission last week when they gave evidence to the
House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities, which is
investigating the impact of genetic engineering on agriculture.
Many European consumer groups were horrified when the first consignments of
the beans, altered to resist a herbicide also made by Monsanto, arrived in
Europe from the US last year. The exporters made no attempt to segregate them
from unmodified soya beans, making it difficult for consumers who did not want
to buy engineered foods to avoid the modified beans.
Ken Baker, head of government affairs for Monsanto Europe, told the Lords
that the company 鈥渦nderestimated the emotional impact鈥� of the lack of
segregation. But that decision rested with farmers and distributors: 鈥淲e are not
in a position to be in favour of segregation, because we have no control over
迟丑补迟.鈥�
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