---

Food Security

I sensed that my hon. Friend was drawing to a conclusion when he used the word ““finally””. There are two issues that, up to now, he has not mentioned and I would be grateful for an idea of his views on them. First, the words ““genetically modified”” have not yet crossed my hon. Friend's lips. What scope might there be to assist global production with that technology and should British farmers have that piece of equipment in their toolkit? Secondly, the Government will have to address the big issue of how environmental schemes will continue to be funded at a time of rapidly rising commodity prices, which have changed entirely the economics for farmers. For example, we no longer have set-aside. What are his thoughts on that crucial issue? None of us wants to return to the intensive production methods that are now a generation old.