Genetic protesters rip out pineapple crop
Reuters World Report
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SYDNEY, March 13 (Reuters) - Protesters against genetic
modification have attacked a trial crop of pineapples near
Australia's city of Brisbane.
A group calling itself Free Seed Liberation claimed
responsibility for pulling up about 100 genetically modified
pineapples being grown in a trial crop by the Queensland
Department of Primary Industries.
"They knew what they were doing, it wasn't a disorganised
attack," said Anna Manzoney, public affairs director for Avcare
Ltd, an industry body representing biotechnology companies and
manufacturers of agricultural chemicals.
Protesters breached a two-and-a-half metre high barbed wire
fence to carry out the late night raid last Wednesday, in an
attack echoing similar episodes in Europe.
The pineapples, part of an experiment to produce greater
levels of proteins, vitamins and sugars, were expected to
survive and had been taken to a secret location for re-planting.
Australia is trialling 21 genetically modified crops at
secret locations around the country. Commercial production of
genetically modified crops is presently limited to cotton and
carnations.