GE - June 15th Public meeting: Stop the GM crop - Watlington, Oxfordshire

[genetics <genetics@gn.apc.org>]

1) Press release - June 15th Public meeting: Stop the GM crop - Watlington,
Oxfordshire 
2) Stop the [Watlington] Crop newsletter May/June 1999

OXY-GENE
Oxfordshire's alliance opposed to genetically modified food and crops
Box 'W', 111 Magdalen Rd, Oxford. OX4 1RQ.    
Tel/Fax: 01865 724 024

Tuesday 8th June 1999 Immediate release
PRESS RELEASE

Public meeting: Stop the Genetically Modified (GM) crop at Model Farm,
Watlington, Oxfordshire

On June 15th 1999 at 7.30 p.m. at Icknield School, Love Lane, Watlington
three speakers will address a public meeting on the genetic modification of
crops and food and specifically about the trial of genetically modified oil
seed rape (approx. 10 hectares (24 football pitches)) being grown at Model
Farm, near Watlington in Oxfordshire: Dr. Sue Mayer, scientist and director
of Genewatch, Lord Peter Melchett, organic farmer and director of Greenpeace
and Dr Ricarda Steinbrecher, genetic scientist will speak and answer
questions.

This will be the first opportunity the public have had to speak out since
there has been no public consultation and only scant information on the
planting of GM crops at Model Farm. A public notice in the Oxford Times of
April 9th 1999 informed people of the planting but not of possible
consequences or related issues.

Model Farm is one of three farm scale trials of genetically modified oil
seed rape which started in April this year. The crop has been modified by
AgrEvo, a large biotechnology company, to tolerate their total herbicide,
Liberty. This herbicide kills all plants or weeds except the oil seed rape
which has been modified to be tolerant to it.

Model Farm has previously hosted small trials of genetically modified crops
(each approximately 10 by 30 meters) for Monsanto, Zeneca and the Scottish
Crop Research Council.  These have been for agronomic or demonstration
purposes.

The farm scale trial's stated purpose is to assess the environmental affects
of herbicide tolerant GM crops. The farm scale trials were announced in
October 1998 after considerable public concern and the recommendation by
English Nature, the Government's wildlife advisors that there should be a
five year moratorium on the planting of herbicide tolerant GM crops pending
further research. There is concern that the loss of wild plants ('weeds')
could remove the habitat and food source of wildlife particularly insects
which birds and small mammals feed upon. Much wildlife including song birds
are already under threat from conventional industrial agriculture and there
is concern that GM crops could lead to species extinction.

The farm scale trial is being conducted at Model Farm by the Institute of
Terrestrial Ecology and is funded by the Department of Environment,
Transport and the Regions. The farm scale trial is scheduled to last for
four years however the government will not confirm that commercial planting
will have to wait until the trial is completed.

The farm scale trial will not study populations of small mammals or soil
microbiology only invertebrates. Further, the first year of the trial will
not assess 'normal' wildlife levels in non-GM oil seed rape for comparison
with the GM oil seed rape, in effect rendering the first year of the trial
useless.

Melanie Jarman of OXY-GENE said
"With overwhelming opposition to the presence of GM food on supermarket
shelves, people surely should be informed of both the presence of GM crops
at local farms and of all the issues which these crops raise.  I hope that
our public meeting will help to explain some of the reasons why Prince
Charles, the BMA, Christian Aid and other highly respected bodies are
indicating that it's time to 'stop the GM crop'".

CONTACT: Andrew Wood Press Liaison: 0973 953 446

ENDS

==========
STOP THE CROP NEWSLETTER MAY 1999

DIARY DATES 

STOP THE GM CROP PUBLIC MEETING 7.30pm Tuesday 15th June  
Icknield School, Love Lane, Watlington, Oxfordshire (NB change from previously
advertised venue)
Speakers include Peter Melchett, organic farmer and director of Greenpeace, Dr
Sue
Mayer, director of Genewatch and Dr Ricarda Steinbrecher a genetic scientist.
For more information, and for transport from Oxford, contact OXY-GENE 01865
724024

Saturday 19th June, GM Field Foray - walk to the site for inspection of the
GM crop. Meet 12.30 p.m. at the Town Hall, Watlington.

Tuesday 22nd June , First meeting of Oxy-Gene in Watlington at Town Hall
from 7.00 p.m. finish by 9.00 p.m. Jean Saunders from Lushill Farm campaign
will be attending.

Saturday 3rd July, GM Free picnic. Meet at 12.30 at the Town Hall,
Watlington. Buses available from Oxford, Reading and Henley.  Picnic with
speeches, music and games. Bring banners, etc. Finish by 4.00 p.m.
Bring friends, family (suitable for children up to 85 years), banners and a
picnic.
contact OXY-GENE (see above)

Model Farm, near Watlington in Oxfordshire (12miles from Oxford) is one of
three farm scale trials of genetically modified (GM) oil seed rape. The
trials of up to 10 hectares (24 acres) and were started in Spring 1999. They
are scheduled to last for four years. 

The stated aim of the trials is to assess the environmental impact of GM
crops, but  they are as much a test of public acceptance.  So when the
public doesn't want to eat GM foods, why are GM crops being grown at all?

Oxy-Gene is campaigning to stop GM crops and to ban GM food.  The growing of
GM crops at Watlington should be stopped now.  We champion organic food,
free from artificial pesticides and fertilisers.  Better for us; better for
our wildlife.

OXY-GENE is Oxfordshire's alliance opposed to genetically modified food and
crops.  Contact: Box 'W', 111 Magdalen Rd, Oxford. OX4 1RQ. Tel/fax: 01865
724 024

Trial and tribulations at Model Farm

In October 1998, the Government announced that there would be large farm
scale trials of genetically modified crops.  Until then GM crops had mostly
been grown in small field trials (usually 10 by 30 metres); several of which
have been hosted at Model Farm.  These field trials were for regulatory,
agronomic or demonstration purposes.

The GM oil seed rape at Model Farm has been modified to tolerate a total
herbicide, AgrEvo's Liberty (glufosinate ammonium).  This allows the crop to
be sprayed with Liberty killing all other wildplants ("weeds"). The purpose
of the farm scale trials is to assess the environmental impact of GM crops.
If there are no weeds for insects, birds and small mammals to feed upon, by
how much will populations decline?  Wildlife is already under intense
pressure from industrial agriculture and GM crops could cause species
extinction.

There will be no crops grown which can be pollinated by oil seed rape within
50 metres of the trial but pollen from oil seed rape is known to travel
2.5km on the wind.  Bees and other insects carry pollen for great distances
pollinating non-GM oil seed rape as well as weedy relatives, allowing GM
plants to enter the human and animal food chain.  There has been no attempt
to establish a 'cordon sanitaire' around the site to prevent cross
pollination with neighbouring crops.

Their is a lack of 'baseline ecological studies'.  These studies are needed
to measure 'normal' levels of wildlife in non GM crops for comparison.  In
effect the first year of the farm scale trials is of no scientific value.
The trials will not include studies of soil microbiology or changes in bird
or mammal populations, only invertebrates..

A steering body to oversee the trials was appointed after the GM crops were
planted severely limiting their ability to influence the design of the
trial.  There has there been no public consultation prior to planting the GM
crops. The government refuses to say that commercial growing won't take
place before the completion of the trials.

The farm scale trials are being conducted by the Institute of Terrestrial
Ecology for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
The seed harvested will be destroyed after the trials are completed.

It is already accepted that GM crops will damage wildlife.  Why conduct
trials to assess the amount of damage?  If we want to promote wildlife and
farming then organic is the future of farming. Curiously the trials will not
be measuring wildlife populations in organic crops.

Genetically modified food and crops?
NO THANKS!

Genetically modification is unsafe
Genetic engineering transfers genes from one species to another - in ways
that could never happen in nature. For instance, genes have been transferred
from a fish into a strawberry. Gene transfer is imprecise and could disrupt
other genes leading to unpredictable effects.

Genetically modified food is unwanted
Most major supermarkets have now said they will remove or restrict the use
of genetically modified food in their products. They are responding to the
overwhelming public concern. GM food has no benefits for consumers so why
take the risk of eating it ? Britain's doctors who are members of the
British Medical Association have called for an indefinite ban on GM food and
want long term testing. Even school dinners in Watlington are protected
since suppliers have been asked to guarantee GM-free meals.

Genetically modified food and crops are unnecessary
Biotechnology companies often use the argument that GM crops 'will feed the
world'. However it is the unequal distribution of food that keeps millions
hungry; the result of landless-ness, unemployment, debt repayments, war and
above all poverty.  Multinationals pushing their GM food into the developing
world will only worsen this situation, particularly as control of the global
food chain becomes ever concentrated in their hands. Development charities
like Christian Aid and Action Aid agree.

Genetically modified crops, a new pollutant
Because they are living organisms, once released into the environment, GM
plants can never be recalled or contained. Cross-pollination of GM crops
with other crops and wild life that are closely related can happen. Any
mistakes or undesirable consequences will be with us forever. The growing of
GM crops will inevitably lead to the contamination of non GM crops and the
threaten consumers right to choose.

Stop the crop near Swindon

On April 25 at Lushill Farm, near Swindon, fields were planted with GM oil
seed rape in the first farm scale trial of these crops.  The story hit the
media in a storm of controversy.  

The biotechnology company behind the GM seeds, AgrEvo, had failed to meet
its obligation to place a public notice in a newspaper circulating in the
area affected by the trial.  Swindon Friends of the Earth (FOE), who made
the discovery only a few days after the crop had been planted, immediately
called upon the Government to order the plants to be dug up.  A local
coalition called SCAM (Swindon Campaign Against the Modification of foods by
genetic engineering) set out to inform the public and mobilise local action.
The campaign was launched with a photo-opportunity with a six legged cow and
a mutant tomato with fish-tail.  Local people were leafleted and invited to
attend a public meeting at neighbouring Blunsdon.  On May 10th, 150 local
people, farmers and bee-keepers packed into the village hall and left
Lushill's farmer Captain Barker and AgrEvo in no doubt as to the strength of
opposition. Three TV crews (including BBC'sPanorama), local radio and
newspaper attended the meeting and follow-up stories are still making local
and national news.

Encouraged by the strength of public opposition to the trials, SCAM and
Swindon FoE embarked on a media campaign to keep the issue in the public
eye.  Briefings, updates and action points are circulated to an ever-growing
mailing list of local people.  On 22 May, campaigners took their posters,
leaflets to Swindon town centre. In just over two hours, three hundred
letters calling for an end to the trial were signed swelling the number of
objections already submitted.

[You cannot have missed the wonderful news earlier this week that the Farmer
involved has now removed the GE OSR at the Swindon site.]

A further public meeting will take place on 20 July in Swindon on 'The
effects of  GM crops on wildlife'. Speakers from Friends of the Earth, the
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (who are contracted to conduct the trial)
and a local organic farmer. 

What you can do

Letter writting
*Write to you MP
MP for Watlington is Michael Heseltine. Write to your MP at House of
Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 1AA. 
*Write to Micheal Meacher, The Secretary of State for the Environment
He can be contacted c/o The Biotechnology Unit, Floor 3/G9, Department of
Environment, Transport and the Regions, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street,
London SW1E 6DE. Quote Consent Application Reference 98/R19/18.
*Write to Mr David Parker, the farmer at Model Farm
He may be contacted at Model Farm, Watlington Road, Shirburn, Watlington,
Oxon. OX9 5DX
*Write to local newspapers.

Collect petition signitures 
Contact Oxy-Gene for copies of our petition to Tony Blair which requests the
growing of genetically modified oilseed rape at Model Farm be stopped
immediately and for the government to review its position on farmscale
trials and GM crop research. 

Come to an Oxy-Gene meeting
Everyone welcome. The first meeting of Oxy-Gene in Watlington at 7.30 p.m.
on Tuesday 22 June at Watlington Town Hall. We hope to make it a regular
event.

Visit the site and see the crop
Buses from Oxford, Henley and Reading to Watlington (About 1 mile from the
site), contact 01865 815 683 for bus times.  See Ordnance Survey Explorer
171map. Grid Ref: SU 678 983 

Participate in Oxy-Gene's events
See the Diary section for more details or call us on 01865 724024 for the
latest information.