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Monsanto CEO: Significant misunderstanding about science exists

Hugh Grant sits down for an open and blunt interview

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

When many consumers hear the name Monsanto, they might roll their eyes or immediately express their displeasure for the company that helps farmers provide food for the billions of people around the world.

In his first interview of 2016 and the first of a two-part series, Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant joined Robin Young and Jeremy Hobson on WBUR’s Here and Now in Boston, where he openly and frankly discussed GMOs, agriculture’s future and other issues facing the industry.

According to Grant, this year marks the 20th anniversary of biotech and GMOs, and in that time there hasn’t been “a single health concern.”

During the interview, Grant said he understands “some of the concern” as it relates to food safety and highlighted the need for more evidence to show that GMOs are safe.

“When you think about the consumer today, there’s more work to be done in helping to explain the science behind these technologies, so I think a lot of the concern comes through that,” he said.

Monsanto is no stranger to protests against its products, but Grant said the conversations have changed within the last decade.

Looking ahead to the future, there could be tremendous pressure to produce more food while having a smaller impact on the environment. Grant said agriculture needs to become more sustainable but he doesn’t “think GMOs are the silver bullet.” He mentioned soil health and water conservation as other methods to sustainable agriculture.

Grant outlined three things that must be done globally to help the future generations.

  1. Using less water for agriculture. According to Grant, ag “is gargling its way through about 70 per cent of the world’s fresh water.
  2. Changing the slope in the curve of food security.
  3. Solving climate change.

Keep checking Farms.com as the Media Team will bring you the second part of Hugh Grant’s interview as it happens.


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