Study says GMOs can cohabit with conventional and organic agriculture

Internutrition sees a place for all farming methods Keystone

Genetically modified organisms, organic production and conventional agriculture all have their place in modern farming, according to a new report by the Swiss food industry.

Internutrition, an association grouping 14 companies said that different methods could be used side-by-side.

After carrying out research into the health and environmental effects of the different methods, the association said that the authorities should treat them equally.

Security measures imposed on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture should also be applied to the conventional and organic methods. The association said that this would remove any doubts about the safety of organic production.

Internutrition said it strongly supported the use of GMOs in agriculture, allowed farmers to reduce the use of pesticides. Over 20 years of experience of GMOs being consumed by millions of people, confirmed that their use in food was safe.

The association said it was opposed to a moratorium on GMOs, saying that such a step would show the authorities lacked a long-term vision.

The Internutrition study follows one in May by the environmental organisation Greenpeace. Greenpeace called for an immediate GMO moratorium, saying that it was impossible to avoid contamination of conventional and organic agriculture if the three methods were used simultaneously.

swissinfo with agencies