Greenpeace deeply regrets agrochemical company AgrEvo's announcement today (10th September 1999) that it has planted three farm-scale trials of GM winter oilseed rape despite overwhelming public opposition to the trials.
A recent report, commissioned by MAFF, by the respected John Innes Research Institute, pointed out that "once GM crops are released they, like all crops, cannot be completely contained."
These so-called "farm-scale evaluations" of GM winter oilseed rape will contaminate wild plants - natural brassicas such as wild mustard, wild radish and wild turnip. Dispersal of pollen over several miles will take place by bees and other insects and could lead to contamination of locally produced honey.
Greenpeace campaign director, Sarah Burton, said: " AgrEvo's insistence on carrying on with these dangerous trials is arrogant, anti-democratic and anti-nature. There is no demand for the products from either food producers or supermarkets."
According to AgrEvo, the location of the fourth farm-scale trial site will be announced tomorrow (Saturday 11th September), after David Rose from of Home Farm in Screveton backed out of plans to grow a farm-scale trial of winter GM oil seed rape. At a public meeting held at Syerston Village Hall, local people voted unanimously against accepting the farm-scale trial in their area because they were worried that the GM crops would contaminate their environment, including locally produced honey, insects and wild plants.
"The Government should cancel the farm scale trial programme, ban GM food and put its energy into supporting organic and sustainable farming," added Burton.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on: 020 7865 8255
