Sir Ken Morrison comes out of the GM closet

Sir Ken Morrison, former boss of supermarket chain Morrison, has come out in support of genetically modified (GM) food.

Speaking at a meeting in York last week to launch the Farexchange supply chain initiative, Morrison said: “I have no problems with it … If food is scarce I can see a great future for it, but under strict controls.”

His views were supported by English Farming and Food Partnerships chief executive Sion Roberts, who said GM food would be needed if the world was to double food production to feed a predicted population of 9bn by 2050.

“GM is already a reality; acreage [across the world] increases year in, year out,” said Roberts. However, he added: “In my view, GM is not the answer to everything; but it does appear it will be the answer in some parts of the world.” He cited the potential benefits of GM, such as the development of drought- and salt-resistant crops.

Yorkshire Forward’s food and drink sector manager John Sorsby argued that to encourage the support of consumers in the UK and Europe, more education and “sensible science” on GM was required. He warned against the dangers of “scaremongering”, while Roberts called for a more “balanced debate” on the subject.

Morrison also questioned the drive for more premium food with a “local provenance” - especially given the financial pressures currently facing consumers. “People are looking for value and they will continue to do so,” said Morrison. He said sometimes 50% extra was charged for food because it was local and described this as “unjustified”. Morrison said: “Being local to most people is not important.”