GM crops 'benefit consumers'

The government has a duty to explain the benefits of genetically modified crops to the British people, Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is to say.

In a speech today, he will argue that GM has significant benefits for farmers, consumers and the environment.

The UK and Europe risk being left behind unless the technology is embraced, he add.

But green groups say this new push for GM is dangerous and misguided.

The Today programme's science correspondent Tom Feilden looks at how the argument, and the science for GM food, has moved on since the 1990s.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Thursday 20 June 2013.