It is essential that scientific trials approved by the Government are conducted without interference from a small minority of extremist groups who are preventing the collection of important scientific data. Most countries do not release the specific locations of crop trials as we do in Britain. The UK must clarify the framework under which trials may be carried out undisturbed by those groups who seek to destroy trials, thus attempting to deny the public access to scientific data confirming the safety and benefits of this technology.

A study into the attitude of farmers by the Open University this week, announced that farmers recognise the clear economic and environmental benefits of GM crops to themselves and the wider public. It demonstrated that new technologies are seen as a way to achieve high quality produce at a low cost for consumers, while being socially responsible. This is why last year 12 million farmers cultivated GM crops on 280 million acres in 23 countries. They have tried it, and it works.

As the Government's Chief Scientist remarked last week at the annual conference of the National Farmers' Union: "It seems to me to be insanity to throw away potential solutions of scientific problems and to practical problems that the (farming] industry have".


Modern junk hides town's fine facades


From: Matthew Shaw, Westend Road, Golcar, Huddersfield.

THE skylines of our towns and cities have generally not been enhanced by the structural contributions of the last four decades. Most are filthy, unloved and unwanted eyesores. Huddersfield is
not alone in suffering at the hands of bad planning and building blunder that continue to this day.

If the current crop of planners and architects aspire to the sort of thing being thrown up, then I'm astonished. Our urban centres should be blessed with modern buildings of which we can be proud. In Huddersfield, we get the absurd (and listed) Queensgate Market, concrete multi-storey car parks, the sinister fortress-like bulk of the Kingsgate Centre and a new university building that resembles a giant prefab shed.

All these landmark buildings suffer from chronic over-confidence and far from feeling proud, I gaze up at them and feel sick. This once proud town hides the remnants of its fine Victorian architecture behind layers of junk.

Quality counts

From: John R Thompson, Denholm Street, Greenock.

IN Mr Penn's letter advocating the use of the single transferable vote, he states: "We desperately need a reformed and democratic parliament, with parties co-operating rationally and sensibly to achieve the best results for the people".

That is more likely to be the result of a miracle than the single transferable vote, as the parliament will be filled with the usual faces and other party hacks. The lack of an overall majority will mean deals being done between differing groups, and party manifestos being honoured even less than at present. It's the quality of politician which is the real problem – not the system.

Benefits of the predators

From: John G Davies, Alma Terrace, East Morton, Keighley.

MRS MA Crowther should not resign her RSPB membership just yet (Yorkshire Post, February 22). They and other conservation groups know
what they are doing when they encourage raptorial birds to breed.

The research indicates that the presence of top predators in a food web is important in maintaining its delicate balance. Re-establishing wolves in parts of the US has increased the diversity of both animals and plants. Perhaps not what might have been expected, in view of many people's opinion of wolves. Raptors feed on a wide range of prey, helping to keep the rodent population in check. The relationships in food webs are extremely complex and small changes can have drastic effects bringing about population explosions of one species and declines in others. Removing one species, particularly a predator, certainly has harmful effects on an ecosystem.

Price of power

From: T Askew, Kendal Drive, Bolton-on-Dearne, Rotherham.

I REMEMBER the election poster of the Conservative Party, "Labour isn't working". Having just received my quarterly electricity and gas bills I, like many ordinary working people, think the Conservative Party's privatisation policies are certainly not working. I thought the idea was that competition would keep prices low. The same is going to happen when the next water bills arrive. It's a disgrace.

Ultimate punishment

From: David Wright, Little Lane, Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

THE alarming, inadequate and disgraceful sentence handed out to the killers of Garry Newlove of "life sentences" which only amount to a minimum of 17, 15 and 12 years is derisory and simply reinforces the need to introduce the death penalty for murder. Our whole legal, sentencing and penal system is in dire need of review.

Meanwhile, our police are hamstrung with paperwork and providing useless statistics instead of spending more time on the streets.

A most unsatisfactory situation which is almost out of hand.

EU smoke and mirrors

From: Les Arnott, Athelstan Road, Sheffield.

NICK Clegg is rapidly losing all respect. He has taken to smoke and mirrors posturing over the EU. He knows full well that a vote on our membership of the EU will never be allowed by the main Europhile parties and his party will never be in power to implement it.

The tactic is to hide his wretched party's unwillingness to have a referendum on the EU Treaty.


Nonsense to say sport was once 'innocent'

From: P Wade, Lightwood Road, Marsh Lane, Nr Dronfield.

SPORT used to be so innocent, writes Tom Richmond (Yorkshire Post, February 25). When was sport innocent? Are you talking about 1985 or 1956 or 1903 or even 1884?

Never is the answer; and what absolute and utter nonsense to talk in hallowed tones of "three great sports in danger of becoming morally bankrupt as a culture of cheating replaces the previous cherished value of sportsmanship". This statement is a con its own right. Wake up out of your deep, deep sleep, Mr Richmond.

People in professional sports are not role models. They never were and never will be.

If he really wants to moan that sport has lost
its innocence, then he would condemn those individuals who take over football clubs and see them as chips in a worldwide poker game. Do we hear anything equating to a critique? No, nothing.

Ultimately, individuals such as Dwain Chambers are not the ones who should be criticised. Rather the criticism should be levelled strongly at the "agents" who scour the global sports marketplace for fresh raw meat, tenderised and ready to be exploited in some ruthless fashion on the field of "sport".

To stop these abuses, sport has to be owned, controlled and checked democratically from the grass-roots upwards. Only with such controls is there any possibility of "clean", drug-free sport.


Impatient mother and an age that lacks respect

From: Fr Neil McNicholas, St Hilda's Parish, Whitby.

THE Yorkshire Post recently reported on a study by funeral directors in which they expressed their concern that people are far less respectful of funeral corteges than has been traditionally the case.

Recently also, a television programme discussed the lack of regard for other pedestrians that people with pushchairs seemed to show, forcing
them out of their way. The two things came together for me this morning.

In my capacity as a Catholic priest, I was about to celebrate a funeral and was standing at the kerbside outside the church with my head bowed as a sign of respect for the deceased as the hearse pulled up in front
of me.

Out of the corner of my eye,I suddenly became aware of a young woman with a pushchair rapidly approaching and determined to push past in front of me regardless of why I was standing there. At the last moment I had to put out my hand and stop the pushchair before she rammed into my legs, at the same time asking her if she would please wait a moment. Undeterred, she muttered something to me and continued on her way forcing me to step back to let her through between me and the hearse – and all of this with the family of the bereaved looking on. I couldn't believe it, but there again these days maybe I could.


Act now to halt fluoride

From: R Healey, Howard Drive, York.

FURTHER to the debate on fluoridation, naturally occurring fluoride is quite different from the calcium fluoride that water authorities would add.

We must emphatically say no to those who would inflict such chemicals upon us and take away choice, whether they be government, medical or emotional supporters of that policy.

There is no need for kneejerk policies of this sort, when we all know the real answer to tooth decay lies with constant care and sensible diet. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds need policies to help to avoid addiction to high sugar content food and drinks.

Readers should act now and make strong representations to MPs and MEPs.

Coalition call

From: Mrs I Pardon, Haywood Avenue, Marsh, Huddersfield.

I READ the Yorkshire Post (a newspaper I consider to be truthful and honest) every day, and I despair at the state of
our country.

I have begun to wonder if, when it's time for the next General Election, we can install a coalition government.

My suggestion would be to install Martin Bell as Prime Minister, plus Frank Field, Austin Mitchell, Gwynneth Dunwoody, Vince Cable, David Davis, Kenneth Clarke and Michael Howard in the Cabinet.

Song source

From: David Lax, Highfields Road, Dronfield.

TO help Ian McMillan (Yorkshire Post, February 26), Up Up and Away was sung by the American group, The Fifth Dimension.