Archived press release

FOE CALLS ON MEACHER TO PLOUGH UP FARM SCALE GM TRIAL. Seed company accused of breaking the law

9 April 1999

The first farm to take part in the Government's farm scale trials of GM crops may be forced to plough up seed that it planted over the Easter weekend. Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to suspend farm scale trials of genetically modified crops at Lushill Farm, in Hannington, near Swindon, Wiltshire following revelations that AgrEvo, the company undertaking the trials, appear to have broken the law by not informing local people of its plans. AgrEvo, now plans to notify the local public, despite the fact that it has already planted GM seed on the farm and that the law requires GM seed firms to notify the public prior to planting.

Companies seeking to grow GM trial crops are legally obliged to publish details of the proposed trial "in a newspaper...circulating in the areas likely to be affected by the proposed release". For the Lushill Farm trial, AgrEvo published details in theGloucestershire Echo, a paper little read in the Hannington area, and not available in the main newspaper shop in Highworth, the nearest town. AgrEvo, now intends to advertise in the Swindon Evening News, but has no plans to stop the trials.

Friends of the Earth has written to Michael Meacher calling on him to order that the crops be ploughed up, and that no further releases take place until after re-advertisment and consideration of any public representations. FOE's legal advisor says in the letter that the situation "makes a mockery of even the paltry public 'consultation' requirements".

The Government is expected to shortly announce details of the Farm Scale Trials. There are expected to be 4 trials, which it is conducting as part of a joint initiative with industry purporting to investigate the environmental impact of growing GM herbicide-resistant oilseed rape and maize (two trials for each crop plant). Friends of the Earth opposes the trials because they are unscientific.

Pete Riley, Senior Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"The Government must take decisive action and stop these farm scale trials from going ahead until the correct procedures have been followed. These trials are supposed to instill public confidence in the safety of GM crops. They won't do that if the company conducting them appears to have already broken the law.Mr Meacher must force AgrEvo to plough up their seeds immediately, and follow FOE's advice not to proceed with this half-baked project in 1999".

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