Monsanto Press Release

Monsanto Statement re Appeal Against Mr Justice Klevan's Decision

Background to the case

Although the judge was satisfied there had been unlawful interference and damage to Monsanto's property and business, Mr Justice Klevan accepted that GenetiX Snowball had just satisfied him that they may have a potential defence at trial. Therefore -- pending trial or a successful appeal -- the judge ordered that the previously obtained interim injunction against GenetiX Snowball should continue, despite their request to the High Court to remove it.

Rationale for the appeal

GenetiX Snowball's defence is based upon an argument that their acts of damage and destruction of other people's property are justified in the public interest. However, this is not about the commercialisation of GM crops or whether Government sponsored trials should go ahead. The issue is simply whether protest groups should be allowed to damage and destroy other people's property in the name of their particular cause.

Recent independent reports

In addition to the numerous calls for GM crop trials to continue from the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, regulatory bodies, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics Report and the Government itself, a public opinion poll last month showed almost 70% of those questioned said that crop research trials 'should be allowed to continue in the UK' (The Independent, page 2, Wednesday, 19 May 1999). In the 1990s over 20,000 crop trials have been completed worldwide.

Regulatory issues

All of Monsanto's field trials are conducted only after the appropriate Government and regulatory approvals have been obtained, the public consultation process has been completed and the relevant licenses issued -- including those under EC Directive 90/220. These trials provide some of the answers to many questions that have been raised about GM crops in the UK. By attacking and threatening to attack them, those responsible seek to deny themselves -- and others -- the very data they claim is essential.

An open debate

Monsanto has always encouraged an informed and open debate on the issue of GM crops and foods. This is why we are the only biotechnology company in the UK to have set up a free phone-information line (0800 092 0401) and a dedicated biotechnology website (www.monsanto.co.uk).

We welcome a wide expression of views -- hence the inclusion of hotlinks on our website to Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and The Soil Association websites among others. However, we cannot allow the destruction of our property or attacks on crop trials for which we have Government and EU approval.

By destroying GM crop trials, protesters are also destroying the data needed to answer many of the very questions they raise.