Food: Farmers may fail in genetic market

Farmers could find themselves without a market if they start sowing genetically modified crops, campaigners warn today. A report published by Friends of the Earth claims public opposition to genetically engineered food is growing across Europe amid fears over the possible health and environmental consequences of "tampering" with nature.

Campaigners will be lobbying farmers at the National Farmers Union today in a bid to urge them not to rush ahead with the introduction of GM crops. Report author Pete Riley said the issue had to be debated now, before farmers were given permission to sow GM crops in the UK. "Only one or two things need to go wrong to cause real environmental and health problems. The protest today is part of a fortnight of global action by campaigners. The European Union is considering whether to force food manufacturers to label all products containing GMOs.