Genetix RoundUp ™

UK government starts to see sense on farm-scale trials
After years of insisting the decision on whether to commercialise GM crops would be 'based solely on science', the government appears to be backtracking and Michael Meacher conceded this week that 'a fresh public debate' is necessary before approval can be considered. The statement comes in the light of a report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC) which advised further discussion and consideration of regulations before approval.

With the locations of the summer farm-scale trials announced today (31/1), the AEBC's recommendation that separation distances between GM and conventional or organic crops may need to be reconsidered to allow a lower level of potential cross-polination may be a little late, but it does acknowledge the importance of this issue, particularly for organic growers and for consumers who want 'GM-free' to mean something other than the current 1% contamination rate. Friends of the Earth has recommended that to achieve a 0.1% contamination upper limit, a separation distance of 5km - 100 times the current measure - would be required.

Canadian Farmers Sue Monsanto and Aventis
Canadian organic farmers have launched a class action lawsuit against Monsanto and Aventis CropScience (now owned by Bayer) to seek compensation for damages caused by their genetically engineered canola (oilseed rape) and to obtain an injunction to stop the introduction of genetically engineered wheat by Monsanto.
Arnold Taylor, President of the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate (SOD), who is supporting the class action suit, went through the claims against Monsanto and Aventis:

GE Canola has spread across the Prairies and contaminated conventional crops so extensively that most certified organic grain farmers no longer attempt to grow canola.

Monsanto and Aventis, when introducing their GE canolas, ought to have known that the genetically engineered canola would spread and contaminate the environment. The companies had no regard for the damage these crops would cause to organic agriculture.

The claim alleges that loss of canola as an organic crop has robbed organic farmers of a high-paying and growing market. 'Organic farmers believe the same thing will happen to wheat if GE wheat is introduced', stated Arnold Taylor. He said, 'Since wheat is the cornerstone of prairie agriculture, and essential for organic crop rotations, losing wheat to genetic contamination would devastate organic farming in Saskatchewan.'

Arnold Taylor further stated, 'We've been forced to live with GE canola. We've asked for a moratorium on GE wheat, we've lobbied to change the variety registration process, and we've just hit a brick wall. We feel we have no choice left but to pursue legal action. This is a matter of survival for organic agriculture in Saskatchewan.'

Joan Harrison, a non farmer member of SOD discussed the significance of the class action suit for urban consumers saying ' as a consumer I feel it is very important to support organic farmers in their efforts to stop the introduction of more GMO food crops…Wheat is a very basic food. It is hard to eat a meal that does not include it in some form.'

Given the Canadian and Saskatchewan reliance on the export of wheat and other crops the class action suit targets the vulnerability of this export market if it is contaminated by GE varieties and the economic and social jeopardy that farm communities are facing.. The introduction of GE wheat will destroy the ability to produce certified organic wheat.

SOD is confident that there is mass support for their class action suit from the organic farmers of Saskatchewan, conventional farmers who will have their crops polluted as well by GE Wheat, and from consumers who want non GE food.

Contact: The Saskatchewan Organic Directorate www.saskorganic.com.

Bayer Blockaded
Last Thursday (24th), as German multinational Bayer launched on the New York Stock Exchange, activists blockaded its UK headquarters in order to highlight Bayer's status as Europe's biggest GM crop company, following their takeover of Aventis CropScience.
At dawn, a group of over forty people arrived at the Bayer complex in Newbury. Using tripods and lock-on arm tubes they blocked car entrances to the HQ and later a number of the building's doorways. Workers were unable to enter the Bayer multistorey car park and many were prevented from reaching their desks. After a blockade of the site lasting over three hours, activists left peacefully with no arrests. Bayer is in the process of acquiring Aventis' GM crop interests. The majority of crop trials in the UK this year will be run by them.
A statement from the protesters said, 'The inconvenience caused to the company displayed the concerns of people around the world who believe that GM food is neither needed nor wanted. Newbury town centre became full of cars that had been unable to park in the multi-story, making a point about sustainable transport options for commuting and alerting local residents to the chemical giant on their doorstep. Workers were informed of the full nature of their company's activities even though some preferred to live in ignorance.'

In addition to genetics, Bayer have a number of questionable activities in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors. For more info check out the protesters' website at: www.bayerhazard.com. The Corporate Watch profile of Bayer will be available on our website soon.

New GM trial site locations:
The table below includes 24 spring sown oilseed rape and 17 beet
sites in England. Details of the sites in Scotland are available on
the Scottish Executive website at www.scotland.gov.uk

Fodder or Sugar Beet

6 Figure Grid Reference Parish County/Authority

NX 964 137 St Bees Cumbria

SE 639 843 Beadlam North Yorkshire

SO 710 177 Blaisdon Gloucestershire

SO 852 224 Down Hatherley Gloucestershire

SO 855 767 Stone Worcestershire

ST 675 823 Westerleigh South Gloucestershire

TF 097 445 Kirkby la Thorpe
with the Hoplands Lincolnshire

TF 218 889 Ludford, East
Wykeham & Ludford
Magna Lincolnshire

TF 270 780 Scamblesby &
Cawkwell Lincolnshire

TF 845 398 Burnham Thorpe Norfolk

TF 848 254 Helhoughton Norfolk

TF 893 362 Raynham Norfolk

TF 930 050 Saham Toney Norfolk

TF 940 087 Bradenham Norfolk

TF 947 093 Bradenham Norfolk

TL 314 904 Ramsey Cambridgeshire

TL 815 665 Risby Suffolk

Oilseed Rape

6 Figure GridReference Parish County/Authority

NZ 101 139 Wycliffe with Thorpe Durham

NZ 205 365 Oakenshaw Durham

NZ 372 510 Near Burdon village City of Sunderland

SE 773 240 Laxton East East Riding of Yorkshire

SE 820 490 Nunburnholme East Riding of Yorkshire

SJ 399 262 Hordley Shropshire

SJ 505 313 Wem Rural Shropshire

SJ 683 255 Hinstock Shropshire

SK 600 712 Warsop Nottinghamshire

SK 753 130 Burton and Dalby Leicestershire

SP 068 369 Buckland Gloucestershire

SP 155 401 Chipping Campden Gloucestershire

SP 237 484 Alderminster Warwickshire

SY 663 861 Bincombe Dorset

SY 708 861 Broadmayne Dorset

SY 773 928 Tincleton Dorset

TA 013 009 North Kelsey Lincolnshire

TA 065 596 Nafferton East Riding of Yorkshire

TA 221 373 Aldbrough East Riding of Yorkshire

TF 216 976 Thorganby Lincolnshire

TF 221 888 Ludford, East Wykeham
& Ludford Magna Lincolnshire

TF 944 250 Colkirk Norfolk

TL 053 100 Great Gaddesden Hertfordshire

TM 102 875 Winfarthing Norfolk