Genetically modified foods are just as safe as their conventional counterparts, according to an industry report.

CropGen says the foods offer no danger to the consumer and are as safe as other supermarket foods.

The firm, which describes itself as 'an innovative initiative designed to make the case for crop biotechnology,' claims it aims to reduce the 'ignorance' surrounding the issue.

It concludes that GM technology can no longer be dismissed as not independently tested.

Although it is funded by the industry it says it operates independently of the sector.

But Friends of the Earth spokesman Peter Riley said: 'It would be nice if all the GM data were made publicly available.

'I can't see how this report can possibly suggest that all approved GM crops are safe. We've found clear and gaping gaps in the science in some approvals.'

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