GE Crops Destroyed in the U.K.

Genetic Engineering Network has recently received information about several GM
crop decontaminations around the country.

This year, 13 National Seed List test sites of genetically modified winter
oilseed rape were planted, 11 in England and 2 in Scotland. Out of these, two
crops are reported to have failed, and 6 have been decontaminated, leaving
just
5 in the ground. (See below for details)

National Seed List trials are to enable the crop grown to be placed on the
National Seed Lists - a step necessary for the commercialisation of the crop.
The company behind the crop is Aventis, and if the trialsites continue to be
destroyed, the commercialisation of the crop will be threatened. The trials
test whether or not the crop grows properly, is stable, and distinctive for
the
market...environmental concerns play no role.

For a list of all the UK testsites including which ones have been destroyed,
please visit http://www.geneticsaction.org.uk/testsites
or http://www.gm-info.org.uk/ for a map based list.If you
know about any decontaminations, please e-mail GEN on
testsites@geneticsaction.org.uk

RESOURCES:

For an excellent briefing on the trial sites, visitwww.genewatch.org

For a copy of the guide to nightime gardening, "my first little book of GM
crop
decontamination" ring 01803 866406

For the guide of what to do if there's a test sitenear you, contact GEN on
0207
6900626

OTHER CROP NEWS

Following massive opposition, two farm scale trials in Mathry, West Wales,
have
been halted.

The site close to HDRA organic centre has also been withdrawn.

Three GM test sites of winter oliseed rape owned by Aventis have been
decontaminated in the past week in Belgium.

WINTER OILSEED RAPE NSL TESTSITES

Brigsley, Lincolnshire (TA 261 022) - crop failed

Morley, Norfolk (TM 051 997) - crop failed

Boothby Graffoe, Lincs (SK 970 581) - 80% destroyed

Stanton, Gloucs (SP 060 351) - 100% destroyed

Girton, Cambridgeshire (TL 434 622) - 100% destroyed

Histon, Cambridgeshire (TL 435 623) - 100% destroyed

Piccots End, Herts (TL 054 104) - 100% destroyed

Albury, Herts (TL 423 234) - 100% destroyed

Bramham, W.Yorks (SE 442 412) - still in ground

Abbots Ripton, Camb. (TL 229 772) - still in ground

Malbourn, Camb. (TL 392 428) - still in ground

Bilston, Midlothian (NT 248 650) - still in ground

Udny Green, Aberdeenshire (NJ 909 232) - still in ground