French activists destroy more GM test sites
August 26, 2001 12:46

CLEON D'ADRAN, France, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Hundreds of activists destroyed test sites for genetically modified maize in southern France early on Sunday, the fifth incident of GM crop destruction in the country since late June.

Armed with scythes and shears, members of the left-wing Confederation Paysanne attacked two fields used by U.S. biotechnology giant Monsanto Co in the southeastern towns of Cleon D'Adran and Salettes.

"These tests are not for medical research but for pesticide testing," said Confederation Paysanne spokesman Bruno Clavel.

In Salettes around 100 activists destroyed a patch of GM maize covering roughly 1,000 square metres. In Cleon D'Adran some 300 protesters destroyed another maize parcel of about the same size.

"We are here because we oppose the uncontrolled development of GM crops. If no one does anything, the future could prove dangerous," said activist Jean-Claude Perignac.

In a communique released later in the day, Monsanto said the destruction was contrary to the "democratic spirit" and was an obstacle to "calm and scientific debate...for the benefit of consumers and citizens."

"Monsanto France once again denounces such a practice as it is against the law and an act of public delinquency," the company said.

On Wednesday around 150 activists had torn up bio-engineered maize being grown on around 800 square metres in the southern French town of Beaucaire.

French Environment Minister Yves Cochet said last week he wanted a public debate on whether genetically modified crops should be grown in open fields rather than enclosed sites. Cochet condemned test site destruction but said the issue it raised was legitimate.

In June the farm ministry was forced to publish the list of districts where genetically engineered plants were being tested. In July, the French food safety agency AFSSA said it had found traces of genetically modified organisms in non-test fields, but it insisted the small amount of GMOs found would pose no threat to human health.

Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany, in an interview published on Sunday in the French news weekly Le Journal du Dimanche, called for a stricter process in deciding on open field tests.

"We cannot put all the GM tests on the same level," he said.

"It's necessary to establish a difference between experiments conducted for public research, which are essentially geared towards deepening our knowledge and evaluating the benefits and potential risks of GM crops, and private sector tests, which aim for research into productivity."

 Glavany has said that although he is "suspicious and wary" of GM crops it is necessary to allow research to continue.