Dear Editor,

The debate on Genetic Modification appears to be ignoring one vital ingredient, particularly with regard to seed crops.

That is wind.

No matter what controls are put in place to isolate genetically modified crops from those being produced in either the normal fashion or organically, the fickle "winds of change" will scatter the seeds of genetically modified crops farther than one thinks.

On top of that, how do you control or legislate for bird droppings?

It will take only one field of genetically modified crop to go to seed and you can kiss goodbye to being able to guarantee or claim that any subsequent crop within a vast area remains free of genetic modification.

With many in Europe and the US already distancing themselves from either the manufacture or purchase of such food, New Zealand is still ideally placed to capitalise on two things which are already commanding premium prices, organically grown and genetically free foods.

I am not a "greenie" but on this issue I firmly believe we will be shooting ourselves in the foot if we continue down this very uncertain path.

Mirek Marcanik

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