Farm scale trials announced in Notts for 2000
Two large farmscale trials of GM crops have been announced for the ADAS
research centre at Meden Vale in the Sherwood Forest area of Notts. The
Government has announced 50 sites nationally to date (9 May 2000). 26 will
grow oil seed rape or forage maize for Aventis (formerly AgrEvo). 24 will
grow sugar beet or fodder beet for Monsanto. (Details from the
Cabinet Office website .) The trials at ADAS will be: Aventis oil seed
rape at map reference SK596695, and Monsanto sugar beet at SK599706.
In 1999, FOE groups supported protest walks to ADAS where Aventis
oil seed rape was being grown on a smaller scale, and to a site in Ruddington
near Nottingham where Monsanto sugar beet was being grown (see
GM rambles page).
FOE forces Meacher to admit farm-scale trials are
illegal
In September 1999, Environment Minister Michael Meacher admitted that
AgrEvo's farm-scale trials of GM oilseed rape are illegal, following a
legal challenge from FOE. However, he is refusing to require AgrEvo (now
called Aventis) to pull up the crops. Three out of four trials were planted
before the court ruling. The fourth trial was halted by Notts farmer David
Rose after strong opposition by local people at a parish meeting. He is,
however, going ahead with a small trial. (You can see details of Rose's
farm at www.farmeco.co.uk.) FOE
is considering legal options to force the government to comply with the
law. The government wants upto 75 farm-scale trials planted in the next
year.
Alan Simpson launches GM Liability Bill
Alan Simpson, MP for Nottingham South, presented a Bill to the last
session of Parliament. It would make producers of GM foods and crops liable
for any health or environmental damage they cause. FOE helped to draft
the Bill which would make directors as well as companies liable. It may
be reintroduced in the current session.(Full details
on separate page.) FOE has also written to all directors of every biotech
company which holds a consent to release GMOs in the UK, warning they could
incur civil liability under existing common law for damage caused by GM
releases.
Simpson and FOE force Government climbdown
Alan Simpson also supported a successful legal challenge to government
GM policy before Easter 1999. This was organised by FOE and backed by an
all party group of MPs. The Government was accused of wanting to license
GM seeds without parliamentary scrutiny, but they rapidly climbed down.
This should mean that licensing will take 2 years extra and be more rigorous. |
