Home > Press releases > 1998
08 May 1998
Plea to Minister: "Save My Organic Status"
The Soil Association has written to the farmer saying that any contamination
may mean the loss of organic status of his sweet corn crop. Genetically
engineered foods are forbidden under organic standards.
But Mr Meacher has the power to stop the genetic experiment, because
he has the power to "vary" the release consent needed to grow the maize,
under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 111(10).
Pete Riley , Friends of the Earth Biotechnology Campaigner commented:
"The Government has to intervene. Public consultation on genetic engineering
is abysmal. The decision making process fails to take account of the
effect on neighbouring farms.People living nearby sites are not aware
and food crops may be contaminated. Why should any farmer be forced
to go to court to try to protect his organic status when the Environment
Minister has the power - and we think the duty - to protect him? Mr
Meacher must act without delay".
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. Neighbouring farmers
and local residents have little chance to object to test sites and no
application has ever been rejected by the DETR. Six hundred local people
protested against the Devon site last week.
The farmer's legal advisors are also writing to Sharpes International
Ltd and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany who will be planting
the genetically engineered maize crop.
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
