GENETIC ENGINEERING GIANT FACES PROSECUTION
PA 17.12.98 19:42
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By John von Radowitz, science Correspondent, PA News
Genetic engineering giants Monsanto are to be prosecuted over an
accident which allegedly broke safety rules meant to stop the
release of a genetically-modified herbicide-tolerant crop into
the environment.
The action taken by the Health and Safety Executive is the first
prosecution of its kind brought under the 1990 Environmental
Protection Act.
Monsanto today admitted the breach and regretted what happened
during a trial of genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape in
Linconshire.
The company said part of a six-metre pollen border designed to
stop the escape of GM pollen had been "mown in error by one
of the contractors".
Health and Safety inspectors who visited the site in June found
the border to measure only two metres in some places.
Both Monsanto and another company, Perryfields Holdings Ltd, were
accused of contravening the Environmental Protection Act for
failing to comply with safety conditions governing the test site.
The case against the companies will be heard by Caistor
magistrates in Linconshire on February 17 next year.
The trial was taking place at Joseph Nickersons Farms in
Rothwell. Monsanto said it had destroyed all the GM oilseed rape
as well as other plants within 50 metres of the trial.
No more oilseed rape would be grown on the site for at least two
years.
A statement from Monsanto said: "We regret the breach of
consent that took place at the trial in Lincolnshire."
The company added that it had no direct control over the running
of such trials.
"This is done by third party growers appointed by MAFF"
(Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food) the statement said.
"In this case the growers confirmed to us in writing that
the trial complied with all the relevant requirements."
Monsanto said it supported "rigorous enforcement of the
regulations on GM field trials" and recognised the need to
prevent such incidents occurring again.
Those opposed to GM crop experiments fear they could lead to
"superweeds" which cannot be controlled.
In this case the experimental oilseed rape contained genes that
helped it withstand the effects of herbicides. This is just the
sort of crop the environmental lobby worry about being crossed
with wild plants and weeds.
Friends of the Earth said the prosecution would embarrass the
Government, which was now discussing a voluntary agreement to
allow biotechnology companies like Monsanto to grow GM crops
commercially in the UK.