Archived press release

Gm trials to go ahead in foot and mouth zones.

3 April 2001

Friends of the Earth today hit out at the Government after it confirmed that new GM farm scale trials would take place on farms in areas infected with foot and mouth disease. At least 17 GM trial locations in total are now believed to be in infected areas. 28 new GM trial sites (for maize) were announced today - 9 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 disease. 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 [2].

• 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, Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth 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 years trials and review the role of these crops in the long-term future of farming."

Notes to Editors

1. Scientists from 5 institutions will make several visits to all the GM sites to monitor wildlife. Government guidelines require scientists to disinfect before and after visits, and to leave vehicles off farms.

2. Last month 8 farmers from around the UK wrote to Nick Brown and Michael Meacher asking them to halt the farm scale trials to reduce the risk of moving foot and mouth disease between farms and counties. The Pesticide Safety Directive has already postponed all non-essential field trial visits.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust