The Scotsman

GM Bid Farmer Rejects Fears Over Trials

The owner of two farms bidding to carry out government-backed trials of GM crops has dismissed fears over the experiments.

Farms at Smithton, near Inverness, Auldearn, near Nairn and two at Daviot, Aberdeenshire, have applied to hold the tests this spring.

A controversial crop trial which is already taking place near Munlochy in the Black Isle. Danny Mackintosh, who lives near Nairn, said any fears the growing number of organic farms had about the trials "are not my problem".

Mr Mackintosh owns both farms which have applied for the trials and they are run by his son-in-law, Stephen Barclay. If they go ahead, the experiments will be held on 40 acres at Seafield on the so-called "Golden Mile" outside Inverness which has been partly given over to commercial property, and another 40 acres at Park Farm.

Mr Mackintosh said: "I support the GM crop trials. This research needs to be done and people are getting used to the idea now and I don't think there will be any hassle. The neighbouring farmers have no objections."

Highland Council and GM opponents condemned the timing of the applications amid the foot-and-mouth crisis.

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