I THINK that there should have been some consultation with the public before the Government took the serious step of allowing the propagation of genetically modified crops.

A Blaisdon farm has sown GM fodder beet for the second year running although there is strong feeling against this from other farmers, bee-keepers and the general public.

Genetically modified seeds are patented by multi national agro-chemical companies such as Monsanto and Novartis. These seeds have been specially bred to resist herbicides such as "Round Up" and "Challenge" which are also made by the same companies. When GM crops are sprayed with these very toxic chemicals they will survive but what about all the plants around which are sustenance to birds, bees and butterflies?

This is a dangerous path that we have been down before. Plants that were considered to be arable weeds 40 years ago are now listed as rare or endangered species and consequently sparrows and thrushes have declined. I miss seeing poppies in cornfields.

Another reason given for the production of these seeds is that it will help to feed the starving millions. Yet poor peasants all over the third world are resisting this technology even to the point of being shot down by Government troops. They know that they can feed themselves better with a mixed crop in smallholdings than going along with plans for acres of cash crops requiring the use of seeds and herbicides from Monsanto. They'd rather save their own seed as they have always done.

In any case there is more than enough in the world to feed everyone. 80 per cent of those who go hungry live in countries with a food surplus. The root of world poverty is economic and political.

No! The real reason for the development of this technology is to delay the rotting of fruit and vegetables so that they can be transported over even longer distances and stay on the supermarket shelves longer. Not an ecologically sound argument. But Flavr-Savr tomatoes didn't please the public's palate so now they are made into tomato sauce.

I would urge the Blaisdon farmer to think again. – Wendy Corum, Ruspidge Road, Cinderford.