Archived press release

Frankenstein foods threaten organic farmer

7 May 1998

An organic farmer near Totnes in Devon may be forced to take legal action to prevent the next door farm planting weedkiller-resistant genetically engineered maize. The Soil Association has said that their concerns about genetic contamination may lead to the farmer losing his organic status on that crop. And Friends of the Earth has warned that the case could be "only the first of many" if the Government does not impose a moratorium on genetically engineered crops.

The test site [1], to be planted in the next few days, is close to where the organic farmer [2]plans to plant a sweet corn crop. The two crops could cross-pollinate, and the Soil Association Organic Certification Scheme has stated that "If you proceed with planting the sweetcorn, it will be necessary to monitor this crop over the coming months. Subject to the outcome of this monitoring process and our assessment of the likelihood and degree of possible genetic contamination, we reserve the right to withdraw certification from the crop".

Pete Riley , Friends of the Earth Biotechnology Campaigner commented:
"This threat to the livelihood of an organic farmer is yet another example of the dangers of planting genetically modified crops. This could be only the first case of many. The Government must call a halt now to the planting of these Frankenstein foods, at least until a proper debate can take place about their impact on the environment."

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 [3]. Neighbouring farmers and local residents have little chance to object to test sites and no application has been ever been rejected by the DETR [4]. Six hundred local people protested against the Devon site last week.

Patrick Holden, Director of the Soil Association, commented:
"The Totnes case is a clear warning that there could be no future for organic farming unless genetically engineered crop testing is brought under control and commercial planting prevented".


Notes to Editors

1. The test site licensed by DETR (96/R13/6) is for a glufosinate ammonium (a broad spectrum herbicide) resistant maize to Sharpes International Seeds Ltd, Sleaford, Lincs NG34 7HA. The test site is located at Hood Barton, Dartington, Totnes, Devon(Map ref SX 766 640). This is a National Seed Listing trial monitored by the National Institute for Agricultural Botany at Cambridge. Pollen from maize has cross pollinated with other maize crops up to 5 miles away . (Corn: Its origin, evolution and improvement PC Mangelesdorf 1974 Harvard University Press Camb. Mass) .

2. Guy Watson, Riverford Organic Vegetables, Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh Tel 01803 762 720

3. There are 332 current test sites (as of 24th April 1998). Seventy percent of the sites are controlled by just 4 companies , Monsanto (110), AgrEvo/PGS (71), Novartis/Hilleshg (26) and Sharpes International Seeds Ltd (24). 76.5% of current sites are using herbicide resistant crops.

4. In answer to a Parliamentary Question from Norman Baker MP (House of Commons Hansard 30 April 1998 Column 179) Angela Eagle confirmed that none of the 152 applications for GMO release sites submitted since 1993 had been refused.

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