NAGTIPUNAN, QUIRINO – Farmers, state regulators, academics, and journalists representing eight Asian countries at the culmination of an international exchange program here, agreed that there is a need for society stakeholders to consider biotechnology as an emerging tool for food security and economic development.

While there are lingering concerns on supposed negative effects of biotech crops, or those developed through genetic modification on human health and the environment, the 48 participants, part of CropLife Asia’s annual Farmers Exchange Program, said that GM crops still compose an “important” development in science, that will help farmers produce and earn more and give consumers products with higher quality.

“I will relay to farmers what is good and bad about GM crops because GM is very important to humanity,” Thai farmer leader, Supap Cherdsang, said.

Dr. Hsin Tang Lin, senior officer at the Taiwan Bureau of Food Safety, meanwhile, said that while he is concerned about the alleged adverse effects of GM crops both as a government regulator and a consumer, he will attest to their safety.

CropLife Asia is part of CropLife International, a global federation of the plant science industry.

Organizers said the farmers exchange program – expanded to include scientists, government regulators, and media persons – was primarily aimed to enhance knowledge-sharing about biotech crops in hopes of opening opportunities for acceptance of GM produce, particularly in Asia.

The participants were briefed on the basics and issues on biotech crops and livestock and visited commercial farms and government laboratories using biotechnology to improve plant production and animal raising.

The initiative was conducted just as the Negros Occidental provincial government held a marathon consultation with science experts and other community stakeholders as it faces opposing positions on an ordinance banning genetically-modified crops, animals, and products within its area.

Environmentalist groups in the province have consistently raised apprehensions on the ill effects of GM farming to biodiversity while organic farming advocates have cited the unanswered questions on the safety of GMO’s to humans.

Livestock raisers in the province have claimed that the industry is being threatened by the ban although their figures have been challenged by those who want the ban to stay.

Sugar industry leaders have also expressed concerns over how the continuing ban can affect the province’s main product.

Noting the current criticisms on GMO’s, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, division head of the Vietnam Genetics Institute, said that it is easy for scientists like her to understand and accept this part of biotechnology.

“The challenge now is for us to explain them to consumers and policymakers,” she said.*PP