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Farm scale trials. Government gambling with the countryside
17 March 2000
Friends of the Earth today accused the Government of ignoring the views of local people andgambling with the countryside by giving the green light to a huge increase in farm scale trialsof genetically modified crops. FOE also said that the Government had clearly experienced serious trouble finding sufficient sites for the trials.
Although the Government claims to be intending to stage 80 trials this year, only 30 siteshave so far been announced. FOE is demanding that the Government disclose when theyexpect to meet their 80 site target.
Commenting, FOE Food Campaigner Peter Riley, said:
“The Government is gambling with the future of the British countryside. If these trials goahead, genetic pollution will threaten both the environment and livelihoods of neighbouringfarmers. These trials are being imposed on the public without their consent. People livingnear these sites have not been consulted and they have no right to object.
The market for GM ingredients has all but collapsed in the UK. Why are we wasting over £3million of taxpayers' money on something for which there is little demand? This money wouldbe far better spent on conducting research into something the public does want such asorganic farming.”
A 2-sided FOE Media Briefing - What's Wrong with the Farm Scale Trials of GM Crops - isavailable from FOE's Press Office
More Information on FOE's Real Food Campaign can be found on our website:http://www.foe.co.uk
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
