"Strain at a gnat, but swallow a camel" - MEP's verdict on EU's GMO policy
24 April 2008
During a debate in Strasbourg on the EU's attitude to GMOs, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister angrily condemned the folly of the present policy, particularly the zero tolerance to any trace of an unauthorised GMO, which can cause a whole shipment of grain to be rejected. Yet, at the same time, shiploads of imported meat are accepted from outside Europe where the animals have been fed a full GM diet. Pointing up the disadvantage which results to local producers, Mr Allister in the course of his remarks said:
"What a laughing stock the EU must be to its competitors. With sanctimonious fervour we ban GMOs in animal feedstuff, even to the ridiculous point of zero tolerance of any unauthorised GM trace, but simultaneously meat derived from animals reared outside the EU and fed with the very GMOs which we refuse to authorise, can be imported freely. Sounds like zero sense to me! We strain at a gnat, but swallow a camel and who suffers? Our own producers who have to pay sky-high prices for GM- free feedstuff. It seems if the political correctness boxes are ticked then the EU is happy, never mind the lunacy which we create.
I confess, Mr President, such stupidity makes me angry, but not half as angry as those who suffer its consequences."
