Farmers Guardian

Threats Halt GMO Trials Open Day

Threats to vandalise genetically modified crop sites across the south of England led to the cancellation of a biotechnology open day for farmers yesterday.

The decision to cancel the open day on herbicide-tolerant genetically modified oilseed rape at Penton Mewsey, near Andover, Hampshire, followed televised comments by anti-biotechnology activists claiming they would take physical action against known GMO sites.

The open day organised by the NFU and the pan-European organisation Familiarisation and Acceptance of Crops incorporating Transgenic Technology (FACTT), would have given farmers the chance to hear about GM OSR at a morning seminar followed by a trip around the trial site, which is being run by Arable Research Centres.

Ironically, the FACTT project, which has the backing of 21 organisations across Europe is designed to improve the agronomic knowledge of GMOs and establish better lines of communication with the public.

Mike Carver, ARC director, said he was not prepared to go ahead with the open day under the threat of physical violence against his staff, the host farmer and GMO site. Another of the ARC's sites, in Gloucestershire, was vandalised by activists following a BBC documentary programme last November.

Dr. Carver criticised activists for stepping up with their campaign, which follows a rejection by Junior Agriculture Minister Jeff Rooker to establish a three year contract moratorium on the introduction of GM crops, while further research was undertaken to evaluate potential harmful effects on the environment.

Mr. Rooker told a recent meeting of the Common's environmental audit committee that Government lawyers had told the Ministry that any moratorium was likely to fail in the courts because GM crops had already been approved by the European Union.

"We are trying to carry out scientific and agronomic evaluations of GMOs and threats such as these won't help. I am happy to talk to farmers about this project, but not prepared to allow threats like this to my business and my staff." said Dr. Carver.

He rejected claims that he was bowing to 'terrorist' pressure and that biotechnology companies were being given easy access to proceed with no GMO trials. "There are exceptionally tight Government restrictions on GM trial work - far more so than for conventional agricultural trials."

The cancellation was a bitter blow to the NFU, whose attempt to promote biotechnology to farmers and the media has been poorly received. The previous two FACTT events in north Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire last month were cancelled because of lack of interest.

Vernon Barber, NFU biotechnology adviser, said such threats of direct action would make it more difficult for farmers to make up their minds on the disputed environmental concerns of growing GM crops.

Dr. Barber said there had been half a dozen GM sites vandalised in the UK and that direct action had also taken place in Ireland, France, and Germany. No further NFU biotechnology open days are being planned in the near future.

"I can see complications arising each time there is an event - this is a new form of guerrilla terrorism."

Pete Riley, Friends of the Earth biotechnology campaigner, said FoE did not approve of threat of vandalism, but said he was not surprised it was taking place because there had been a breakdown in the regulatory framework governing GM crops.

He said the current system did not have enough public input. "The fact that the public cannot have any influence on the Government's decision has led to the direct action. We need a transparent and clearer system."

So far, the Government has approved 152 GM crop applications involving 526 field sites and, according to Junior Environment Minister Angela Eagle, has never rejected a trial application.

Mr. Riley called for broader consultation, involving discussions at parish council level, when GM crop trial sites were being proposed. Local inhabitants should receive written formal notification and signs should be put up alongside roads warning of proposed trials.