Peter Wishart, Scottish National Party MP for Perth and North Perthshire, has called for "a serious, grown-up debate" on biotechnology and genetically-modified (GM) foods.

Peter Wishart, Scottish National Party MP for Perth and North Perthshire, has called for "a serious, grown-up debate" on biotechnology and genetically-modified (GM) foods.

Speaking at the UN Year of the Potato conference in Dundee yesterday, Wishart said: "At the beginning of the 21st century we live in a world that is still subject to regular famines. I believe that we owe it to our fellow citizens to do all we can to address these global problems and use our science and technology to offer solutions.

"In this new global environment, I believe that it is time to look again at our attitude to biotechnology. Full consideration must be properly given to research the contribution that this field of science has to offer.

"Scotland's history is deeply intertwined with agricultural improvement and innovation, and it is important that the skills, edge and expertise accumulated here in Perthshire and Scotland are properly engaged.

"We surely owe it to our future generations to look at the scientific study of the potential of these crops."

Wishart's comments are contrary to the SNP manifesto pledge opposing GM crops. The First Minister, Alex Salmond, stated at this year's Royal Highland Show that while he did not mind a debate on the subject, the SNP was against it.

Salmond said: "The reason we're against it is because we have got a clear vision of Scotland's future in food and that is of clean, green, quality food from Scotland, and the problem with GM is that it cuts across that image."

Potatoes are a crop that could benefit immensely from genetic modification particularly if blight resistant varieties could be developed.

Last year was a particularly difficult year for the disease and growers had to spray their crops more than a dozen times with expensive chemical sprays.

Scotland has developed a valuable export trade in seed potatoes and exports to about 60 countries around the world.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Obviously we have no objection to scientists keeping up to speed with the latest published research, as we have always indicated.

"However, the Scottish Government believes that the precautionary principle and our own commitment to a clean and sustainable natural environment makes any cultivation of GM crops unacceptable and undesirable. We also note the position of a number of other European governments who take the same stance."