Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has reiterated his support for the use of GM crops and believes that unpredictable UK weather patterns may necessitate the accelerated use of GM crops.
The Conservative member has warned that extreme weather patterns and a refusal to use GM crops could result in Scottish farmers becoming globally uncompetitive.
Wet summers in 2011 and 2012 resulted in large swathes of tomato and potato crops being ruined due to diseases induced by the soggy conditions. The summer of 2013 has been markedly better but the unpredictability of Scottish weather may one day cause terminal damage to the industry.
Murdo also believes that problems experienced by Scottish soft fruit farmers could be combated by GM crops in the near future.
The European Union have been deadlocked on GM for a number of years. Only two crops have been approved for commercial growing - another seven are awaiting the green light.
Last year about 170 million hectares of GM crops were cultivated in 28 countries.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“With scientists predicting more extreme weather patterns over the next ten years, farmers will need to use all available tools to combat these problems, and in my opinion, in some instances, that will mean using GM crops.
“Farmers have already hinted that they would welcome GM solutions to wet weather induced potato and tomato blight.
“Although weather this summer has been particularly good, we need only look at the last two summers to see the effects of inclement weather on the farming industry.
“Soft fruit farmers within my own region have experienced two consecutive difficult seasons, and although soft fruit is currently not on the radar for GM crops its development could give the industry the stability it craves.
“GM crops also offer solutions to global food shortages. However, a sustained PR exercise will be required to convince sceptics.”