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Farmer fights frankenstein food
8 May 1998
Plea to Minister: "Save My Organic Status"
The Soil Association has written to the farmer saying that any contamination may mean the loss of organic status of his sweet corn crop. Genetically engineered foods are forbidden under organic standards.
But Mr Meacher has the power to stop the genetic experiment, because he has the power to "vary" the release consent needed to grow the maize, under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 111(10).
Pete Riley , Friends of the Earth Biotechnology Campaigner commented:
"The Government has to intervene. Public consultation on genetic engineering is abysmal. The decision making process fails to take account of the effect on neighbouring farms.People living nearby sites are not aware and food crops may be contaminated. Why should any farmer be forced to go to court to try to protect his organic status when the Environment Minister has the power - and we think the duty - to protect him? Mr Meacher must act without delay".
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. Neighbouring farmers and local residents have little chance to object to test sites and no application has ever been rejected by the DETR. Six hundred local people protested against the Devon site last week.
The farmer's legal advisors are also writing to Sharpes International Ltd and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany who will be planting the genetically engineered maize crop.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
