M Winter's most interesting comments about genetically modified (GM) crops (Letters, May 2) include the threat to organic farmers.

He or she does not mention the meetings planned for this summer in various parts of the county where such fears and reservations can be aired.

On the face of it, these meetings are to help the Government decide the future of GM crops.

Cynically, however, reports have it that decisions to issue licences have already been taken and the whole exercise is a sop.

The last chance to turn the tide has gone.

Martina Watts, in her excellent weekly column (The Argus Weekend, May 3), writes of pesticides linked to breast cancer and recommends organically grown produce to minimise such risks.

She also refers to standards for organic food having been laid down in European law. I have my doubts that these standards are high enough.

Both Martina and I have noticed that carrots bought at local supermarkets labelled organic (with the Soil Association logo) are just as bland and tasteless as non-organic carrots in the same shop when compared to the much stronger carroty taste of the real stuff at a local wholefood shop, such as Infinity Foods in North Road, Brighton.

I have asked Safeway three times where it gets produce and how it is grown and stored but have had no answer so far.

I wonder if readers could carry out a survey and compare taste, perhaps on a scale of one to ten?

I should be very interested to have their comments.

Recently, the Food Standards Agency reported that excessively high levels of nitrates have been found in broccoli which, presumably, is because of the use of soluble inorganic nitrogen fertilisers to boost yields.

No such fertilisers or pesticides are permitted in organically grown produce, which therefore should have a more balanced mineral content.

-Hans Lobstein, Brighton