Britain’s Princess Anne thinks genetically-modified (GM) crops are important.
The princess believes such foodstuffs help people to be "more efficient" in using land and will help stretch stocks to feed more people.
She told ‘Countryfile’: "It’s a serious business looking after the countryside and it’s a much more serious business feeding people.
"I think it [GM] has a role to play, to be honest. I think the claims are probably slightly greater than most of the deliverables actually are. They do add to our ability to perhaps be more efficient users of the land.
"That is good, because I think in the long term, when you’ve got the prospect of nine billion to feed, you are going to need some help in doing that and to do it well."
Anne’s comments put her at odds with her brother Prince Charles, who has repeatedly warned about perceived dangers of GM crops, and has accused firms of conducting a "gigantic experiment" with nature and the whole of humanity which "has gone seriously wrong", saying it was "guaranteed to cause the biggest disaster environmentally of all time."
However, Anne admitted she "seldom" discusses the issue with her brother, agreeing differences of opinion are a normal part of family life.
She added:
"I do think there are some things which, even if you don’t like the sound of it yourself, you know that it’s got to a point where you’re not going to stop it, because you can’t.
"So, you really must focus on how you can get the best out of it so it works for humans and the globe in the long run."
Princess Anne backs GM crops
