Genetic Modification Policy
It is hard to find any food in supermarkets that contains Genetically Modified (GM) ingredients. That’s because the law requires GM ingredients to be labelled and the shops have found that people don’t want to buy it.
Genetic modification or genetic engineering artificially combines pieces of genetic material from one organism with another, often unrelated organism, in order to enhance certain characteristics.
Genetic modification is sometimes abbreviated to “GM” while genetically modified organisms are sometimes abbreviated to “GMO.”
Unfortunately some GM ingredients do find their way into our food chain because their presence is hidden from us. A growing number of animals all over the world are reared on genetically modified maize and soya, however this is not labelled on the milk, cheese, yogurt, meat or eggs that we consume.
Organic food regulations make sure that no GM ingredients or feed are used at any stage in the production process, so you can be sure that everything is entirely natural in foods that are labelled organic.
We do not use genetically modified raw materials or ingredients of any kind and believe GM materials should be banned for the following reasons;
- Genetically produced material has a negative and irreversible environmental impact.
- It allows the release of organisms that have never before existed in nature and which cannot be recalled.
- Genetic modification can disturb the gene pool of cultivated crops, micro-organisms and animals as well as disrupting local eco systems.
- The proliferation of genetically modified material results in the denial of free choice for both farmers and consumers.
- The proliferation of genetically modified material can violate a farmers' fundamental property rights and endanger his economic independence.
- Genetically modified material poses unknown and unacceptable threats to plant, animal and human health.
In 2010 Doves Farm Foods will
- Support activities that highlight issues surrounding the genetic modification of food.
- Highlight the issues surrounding genetic modification of food to staff colleagues
In 2009 Doves Farm Foods will press the UK government to adopt policies to protect organic food and farming from the threat of GM contamination.
