GM trials to go ahead in foot-and-mouth zones3 April 2001
Friends of the Earth hit out at the Government after it confirmed that new GM farm-scale trials (FST) would take place on farms in areas infected with foot-and-mouth disease. At least 17 GM trial locations are believed to be in infected areas. Twenty eight new GM trial sites (for maize) were announced on 3 April - nine are in infected areas - bringing the total number of FST locations to 81.
Friends of the Earth is calling for this year's GM trials to be abandoned because:
Scientists moving between farms and counties may infect farms that are free of foot-and-mouth. Last month, a number of farmers appealed to the Government to suspend this year's trials to reduce the risk from scientists visiting the sites.
Neighbouring crops may be contaminated with GM pollen. This may make those crops unsalable as there is no demand for GM food in this country. With foot-and-mouth driving thousands of farmers to the brink of bankruptcy, GM crops are an unacceptable extra risk.
Last month, Tony Blair promised a review of farming practices so that its long-term, sustainable future could be assured. There are serious question marks about whether GM crop technology fits within a sustainable farming framework.
Carol Kearney, Friends of the Earth Food Campaigner said: "The Government's continuing support for the biotech industry is staggering. Elections are delayed, footpaths are closed but trials of GM crops in infected foot-and-mouth areas are allowed to continue, despite the obvious risk they pose. If the Prime Minister is serious about agricultural sustainability he should cancel this year's trials and review the role of these crops in the long-term future of farming.
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