Save our fields from GM crops, says green group (From Warrington Guardian)

Save our fields from GM crops, says green group

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have won the support of nearly 200 people in their fight to prevent genetically-modified crops from returning to South Cheshire fields.

Supporters of South Cheshire Friends of the Earth staged a rally at Nantwich's farmers market as they seek to persuade MPs to impose tough restrictions on the level of contamination allowed by GM substances of non-GM crops.

Central to their fight are pre-printed anti-GM cards which they intend to send to politicians to reinforce their point - and within a few hours the group had signed up dozens of backers for their cause.

They also staged a competition for shoppers and youngsters to name an anti-GM scarecrow, which was won by 10-year-old Stephanie Fearn, from Crewe.

Four years ago it was controversially announced that genetically-modified maize was set to be grown at Hill Farm, Aston, near Nantwich, and at another site in Agden, near Lymm, Cheshire.

This led to widescale protests by environmentalists and organic farmers, who feared the spread of GM pollen across their crops.

While today there are currently no trials in operation in the UK, Friends of the Earth fear, with 10 applications to grow GM crops in Europe, that they will prompt similar bids again in this country.

The Government is consulting on plans allowing 0.9 per cent contamination of non-GM crops by GM substances from nearby fields, according to FoE.

But they say that this 'co-existence' figure should be nearer to 0.1 per cent so that organic farming can be better protected and consumers can have confidence in non-GM foods.

The organisation carried out a survey earlier this year which they claim shows two-thirds of the public supported tougher measures on GM contamination.

South Cheshire FoE spokesman Jeremy Herbert said: "Unfortunately the Government is planning to allow widespread GM pollution of our food crops. This is totally unacceptable.

"We are challenging MPs to show us which side of the fence they are on and we hope they will do everything they can to prevent the Government threatening our right to choose GM-free food."

nantwich@guardiangrp.co.uk