Novartis news heartens environment campaigners
Date: 16-Sep-99
Country: UK
"There are going to be changes. No way are they going to be able to
maintain investment without a decent return," said Friends of the Earth
campaigner Adrian Bebb.
Earlier, Novartis said it was looking at strategic options for its
agricultural products business.
Organic campaigners the Soil Association also welcomed the idea of
Novartis concentrating on pharmaceuticals. "It would be sensible of them
to do this," said the association's Harry Hadaway. "We would applaud any
move away from the use of genetic modification in agriculture."
The association has not taken a line against all biotechnology, but
wants it taken out of agriculture. "We're sure consumers would support
the use of their technology in pharmaceuticals in a way they wouldn't in
agriculture," he said.
Genetically modifed (GM) maize produced by Novartis had had some
success, Friends of the Earth's Bebb noted. But the call earlier this
month by agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland on its suppliers to
start segregating modified and conventional crops would be a signal for
U.S. farmers to back away from biotechnology.
Heinz Imhof, head of Novartis Agribusiness and Chief Executive Officer
of Novartis Seeds, said on Wednesday that the company had started a
review of its strategic options for the business which could include a
spin-off or an alliance with another company.
Speaking at a presentation for journalists at the company's
headquarters, he said no decision had been made yet.
Imhof said he had discussed the matter with Novartis AG Chief Executive
Daniel Vasella.
Friends of the Earth has been one of the leading groups in a campaign
against genetically modified crops, along with such organisations as
Greenpeace.
FEARS TRIGGER RETAIL MOVES
Consumer fears have triggered a move away from GM products by British
retailers. Marks & Spencer said in August it would start offering meat
from animals which had not been fed genetically modified soy and maize
and announced in July that its entire processed food range was made
without GM soy or maize.
Britain's biggest supermarket chain Tesco has said it will remove GM
ingredients from food products wherever possible. Frozen foods group
Iceland has refused to stock GM foods.
Safeway is systematically removing all GM ingredients from own-brand
products. "Safeway's position on GM soya and maize is that they fail to
offer any tangible benefits," it said in July.
Concern over genetic modification had halted U.S. sales of reduced levy
maize to Spain, under a long standing EU trade concession.