FOE and local farmers join forces to stop GM trials

Campaigners, local people and farmers came together to support a rally in Wolston on Saturday to demand that the Government stop a proposed trial of genetically-modified forage maize less than 2 miles from Ryton Organic Gardens, the long established headquarters of Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA), the organic organisation.

It was called by the local Friends of the Earth Group to support Ryton Organic Gardens, who may loose their organic certification due to the proximity of the trial. About 80 people showed their support as Local Farmer Rodney Patinson, Chief Executive of HDRA Alan Gear, Labour MP Andy King and Real Food Campaigner Lorna Jackson called on the Government to stop this trial from being planted later this month. Feelings were high as Alan Gear explained that HDRA, who receive MAFF funding for their research work, could lose their organic certification if their sweet corn crop was found to have been cross contaminated by the GM maize.