France - GM crops

Foie gras and the GM debate

by Marco Chown Oved

Article published on the 2008-04-09 Latest update 2008-04-09 14:46 TU

President Sarkozy recently made the case that French cuisine should be designated a Unesco world heritage, while the UN culture organisation itself released a report that criticises the influence of large corporations over agricultural policies. The introduction of genetically modified crops could have a radical effect on French gastronomy.

To demonstrate the unique character of its food, France will need to assure its quality and traditional character.

But one of its best known products, foie gras, has recently come under scrutiny. In October, the French press agency, AFP, reported that a local corn-farmer had been selling genetically modified corn to foie gras producers to feed their ducks and geese. No indication that a switch to GM corn had been made.

Some 20 foie gras producers in Gers, south-west France, were implicated in the scandal. The region is considered one of the traditional heartlands of the product.

“The supplier, the producers and the poultry farmers who use this corn are real sorcerer’s apprentices, selfish in their behaviour because they put an entire industry at risk,” Philippe Martin, a Socialist MP from the region, said at the time.