Archived press release

Gm giant sues government

7 September 2001

GM giant Aventis is taking the UK Government to court to prevent it giving information to Friends of the Earth on the environmental and health effects of one of its pesticides.Glufosinate ammonium (GA) is being used in the farm scale trials of GM crops. It is one of two herbicides due to be used on those GM crops that are nearest to commercialisation.

Friends of the Earth first requested the information from MAFF in February 2000, after it changed the rules on the use of glufosinate ammonium. Previously GA was only allowed to be sprayed on crops during the summer, because of fears over the environmental and health impact of using the pesticide during the winter months. Concerns included the leaching of the pesticide into groundwater. However, following a request by Aventis, the Government allowed GA to be sprayed on GM crops during the winter.

FOE asked to see the information that Aventis supplied to back up its requests. In January this year it refused to disclose the information. However, following the threat of legal action from FOE the Government backed down and said FOE could have it. Aventis objected to this disclosure and notified the Government (on 28 June) that it would go to court to stop the information being released. Aventis has now filed papers with the court and a hearing is expected shortly.

On 22 June Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) lawyers told Aventis that the Government would give FOE most of the information. Aventis is taking legal action in a bid to block disclosure, asserting “commercial confidentiality”.

Peter Roderick, Friends of the Earth's Legal Adviser, said:

“This action shows the lengths that the biotech industry will go to keep its activities from public scrutiny. If Aventis has got scientific evidence on the safety of this pesticide why won't they let us see it?

Full marks to the Government for finally agreeing to disclose most of the information. It must now stand firm in defending Aventis' challenge. It is difficult to see how commercial confidentiality can trump the public's right to know about the possible environmental and health impacts of spraying pesticides on GM crops.”

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust