Home > Press releases > 1998
07 May 1998
An organic farmer near Totnes in Devon may be forced to take legal
action to prevent the next door farm planting weedkiller-resistant genetically
engineered maize. The Soil Association has said that their concerns
about genetic contamination may lead to the farmer losing his organic
status on that crop. And Friends of the Earth has warned that the case
could be "only the first of many" if the Government does not
impose a moratorium on genetically engineered crops.
The test site [1], to be planted in the next few days, is close to
where the organic farmer [2]plans to plant a sweet corn crop. The two
crops could cross-pollinate, and the Soil Association Organic Certification
Scheme has stated that "If you proceed with planting the sweetcorn,
it will be necessary to monitor this crop over the coming months. Subject
to the outcome of this monitoring process and our assessment of the
likelihood and degree of possible genetic contamination, we reserve
the right to withdraw certification from the crop".
Pete Riley , Friends of the Earth Biotechnology Campaigner
commented:
"This threat to the livelihood of an organic farmer is yet another
example of the dangers of planting genetically modified crops. This
could be only the first case of many. The Government must call a halt
now to the planting of these Frankenstein foods, at least until a proper
debate can take place about their impact on the environment."
The Devon site is one of over
330 genetic test sites currently licensed in the UK, three quarters
of which are testing weedkiller resistant crops [3]. Neighbouring farmers
and local residents have little chance to object to test sites and no
application has been ever been rejected by the DETR [4]. Six hundred
local people protested against the Devon site last week.
Patrick Holden, Director of the Soil Association, commented:
"The Totnes case is a clear warning that there could be no future
for organic farming unless genetically engineered crop testing is brought
under control and commercial planting prevented".
Notes to Editors
1. The test site licensed by DETR (96/R13/6) is for a glufosinate
ammonium (a broad spectrum herbicide) resistant maize to Sharpes International
Seeds Ltd, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 7HA. The test site is located at Hood
Barton, Dartington, Totnes, Devon(Map ref SX 766 640). This is a National
Seed Listing trial monitored by the National Institute for Agricultural
Botany at Cambridge. Pollen from maize has cross pollinated with other
maize crops up to 5 miles away . (Corn: Its origin, evolution and
improvement PC Mangelesdorf 1974 Harvard University Press Camb.
Mass) .
2. Guy Watson, Riverford Organic Vegetables, Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh
Tel 01803 762 720
3. There are 332 current test sites (as of 24th April 1998). Seventy
percent of the sites are controlled by just 4 companies , Monsanto (110),
AgrEvo/PGS (71), Novartis/Hilleshg (26) and Sharpes International Seeds
Ltd (24). 76.5% of current sites are using herbicide resistant crops.
4. In answer to a Parliamentary Question from Norman Baker MP (House
of Commons Hansard 30 April 1998 Column 179) Angela Eagle confirmed
that none of the 152 applications for GMO release sites submitted since
1993 had been refused.
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
