Letter: Victory for GM prejudice

YOU SUGGEST the decision of Unilever and others to cease sales of GM foods demonstrates consumer power ("Victory for grass-roots action", 2 May). Rather, it is a victory for prejudice over evidence. There is no evidence GM foods are less safe than others coming on the market. The "victory" could therefore mean more costly food (the GM puree was 20 per cent cheaper), and avoidable environmental harm.

There is a wider issue. To imply that government can never be trusted, that big business is always corrupt, or that campaign groups are always honest, is to rely on prejudice. Scare stories may sell newspapers, but, in the long run, only they benefit.

RICHARD BALMER

Solihull