Archived press release

Foot and mouth threat from GM trials

4 April 2001

Over a quarter of proposed and existing GM farm scale trials are in areas infected with foot and mouth a survey by Friends of the Earth reveals [1]. The Government has made it clear that scientists will still be able to visit these farms despite the obvious risks of spreading the disease.

Twenty eight new GM locations (for maize) were announced yesterday. Nine of these are in infected areas. There are now 109 proposed or existing GM farm scale trial sites, twenty nine (27 %) in infected areas. Eighty six sites are due to be planted this Spring (23 are in infected areas), and 23 are winter GM oils seed rape sites (six).

Last month a number of farmers wrote to the Government calling for the GM trials to be suspended this year because of the threat they posed. And the Pesticide Safety Directive has postponed all non-essential visits in infected areas. The GM research, however, will continue. Scientists from five research institutions are due to make a number of visits to each GM trial sites.

Carol Kearney, GM campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
“The decision to go ahead with the GM trials in infected areas shows who's really running this research - the biotech industry. The Government has decided that GM crop research is'essential' and must continue. This disturbing decision has been made despite the fact that there is no demand for GM food, and despite the risks posed by growing these crops.”

[1] GM SITES IN FOOT-AND-MOUTH INFECTED AREAS 3 Apr 2001

Maize (Spring 2001)
Broomedge, Cheshire, Aston, Cheshire Wivenhoe,Essex
Alresford, Essex Preston Wynne, Hereford Hinton Waldrist, Oxfordshire
Prees Heath, Shropshire Hinstock, Shropshire Crowle, Worcestershire

Oilseed Rape (Spring 2001)
Hutton Magna, Durham Oakenshaw, Durham Aston Somerville, Glous
Wormington, Glous Great Dalby, Leicestershire Ash Magna, Shropshire

Fodder Beet (Spring 2001)
Hutton Magna, Durham Blaisdon, Gloucestershire Twigworth, Gloucestershire
Preston Wynne, Hereford High Ellington, N Yorks Beadlam, N Yorkshire
Ellerdine, Shropshire

Sugar Beet (Spring 2001) :
Spennells, Worcestershire

Oilseed Rape (Winter 2000)
Lymm, Cheshire Hutton Magna, Durham Laverton / Stanton, Glous
Long Marston, Warwicks Preston Wynne, Hereford Aston Somerville, Wors

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust