The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman, has controversially backed the use of genetically modified crops in the UK.
The move has come as a surprise to many as the Tories have not traditionally supported the use of GM crops, and even the previous Labour administration was hesitant to use the technology due to fears of a negative reaction towards ‘Frankenstein Foods’ by the public.
Now the Environment Secretary believes that under the right circumstances, and without the use of taxpayer’s money, work should begin on developing practicable methods of genetic modification. “The principle of GM technology is ok if used well. The technology can be beneficial. GM can bring benefits in food to the marketplace. The sale should not be promoted by the taxpayer,” said Spelman.
“Lord Henley [the new environment Minster] has approved a trial of a potato blight-resistant variety. That’s the kind of modification that can reduce the amount of agro-chemicals which need to be applied.”
Spelman has a history of backing the use of GM having spent 15 years being involved in the agricultural industry and working as a director of biotechnology lobbying firm Spelman, Cormack and Associates, a role which her husband continues lead in, which has led to criticisms from anti-GM organizations.
In her first speech as DEFRA Secretary Spelman also took time out to wage holy war on badgers, ordering a population cull due to a supposed link to bovine tuberculosis, though fears of a militant, anti-coalition badger uprising is widely believed to be the real reason behind the decision.
One Badger's the hairy handed gent
who ran amuck in Kent,
Lately he's been over-hard in Mayfair
Fact is, there is no badger trust
I saw a badger drinking
a pina colada at Trader Vic's
and they draw flies
in the face of science
The cows are unwilling to talk in public, now. *cough* Besides, the badgers have no idea that there's this order in place that allows the government access__ for five years at a cost of £9m. The Creatures are terrified because they nearly died in the fire that destroyed the last castle.
Now if we catches them in a booby-trapped Flash animation, and we get them all signed up for Genetic Modification (A simpler code might have led to a simpler life) Do you think Amy's new man can tame her? Ado know.
I'm not in favour of culling the badgers going forward for five years...
Culling disturbs badgers' social groups, causing them to roam further and come into contact with anti-social bovvered badgers in hot-beds of bad badgers' acting-out and their counter-culture badger bands: Badger Watch and Rescue Dyfed. Fin our inna chid! Not again, no moo.
The time for playing possum is over.