Government gambling with countryside

Friends of the Earth accused the Government of ignoring the views of local people by giving the green light to a huge increase in farm scale trials of genetically modified crops.

FOE is also concerned that the Government has experienced serious trouble finding sufficient sites for the trials. Although the Government claims to be intending to stage 80 trials this year, only 30 sites have so far been announced. FOE is demanding that the Government discloses when it expects to meet the 80-site target.

"The Government is gambling with the future of the British countryside. If these trials go-ahead, genetic pollution will threaten both the environment and livelihoods of neighbouring farmers. These trials are being imposed on the public without their consent. People living near these sites have not been consulted and they have no right to object," said Friends of the Earth Biotechnology Campaigner Pete Riley. "The market for GM ingredients has all but collapsed in the UK. Why are we wasting over 3 million of taxpayers' money on something for which there is little demand? This money would be far better spent on conducting research into something the public does want such as organic farming."