French activists flatten another genetically modified crop field

2 items - second an update

Quote of the day: "This feels really good," said Jacques Lachaud, a retired shopkeeper from Cap Vern in southwest France, after he cut down several stalks with a small sickle. "I'm sick of eating lousy food. I will definitely be back for more (protests) if they want us."
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French activists flatten another genetically modified crop field

LABRIHE : About 150 activists opposed to genetically modified crops hacked down a field of experimental maize outside this town in southwest France on Tuesday and warned their protests would continue. Armed with scythes and sickles, they took only four minutes to destroy the 80 square metre (yard) site in this farm region west of Toulouse, the largest maize-producing area in France.

The test maize was being grown by a farmer on behalf of the US biotechnology giant Monsanto. A small squad of police looked on but did not intervene as the activists from the radical farmers union Confederation Paysanne, the anti-globalisation movement Attac and the environmental group Friends of the Earth hacked away at the crop.

It was the sixth incident of crop destruction since late June, when the farm ministry was forced to publish the list of districts where genetically engineered plants were being tested. "This feels really good," said Jacques Lachaud, a retired shopkeeper from Cap Vern in southwest France, after he cut down several stalks with a small sickle. "I'm sick of eating lousy food. I will definitely be back for more (protests) if they want us."

The activists have accused the government of underestimating the possibility of cross-pollination between genetically modified and natural crops.

They have threatened to continue their blitz on experimental fields across the country.-Reuters

French GM crop field hit, Jospin critical
Reuters, 08.28.01, 5:16 PM ET
(Adds comments from Jospin and Monsanto, paragraphs 2, 9-11)
By Greg Frost
AUCH, France, Aug 28 (Reuters)

About 150 activists opposed to genetically modified (GM) crops on Tuesday hacked down a field of experimental maize in southwest France and then dumped the uprooted plants in the heart of the regional capital.

Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and the U.S. biotechnology giant Monsanto, whose seeds were used for the disputed crops, criticised the protest. It was the second time in a week that protesters have destroyed French GM crop sites and the sixth time since June. Armed with scythes and sickles, the activists took only four minutes to destroy the 80 square metre (yard) site in the town of Labrihe in southwest France, the largest maize-producing area in the country. While GM crops are common in the United States, France and other European countries remain highly reluctant to sanction new genetic technology in agriculture. France nonetheless grows experimental GM crops on around 100 sites.

A small squad of police looked on but did not intervene as the activists from radical farmers union Confederation Paysanne, anti-globalisation movement Attac and environmental group Friends of the Earth hacked away at the crop. With the late summer sun beating down on their backs, the motley crew kicked up clouds of dust as they ripped the tall plants from the parched field. They then loaded the stalks into vans and transported them to the town of Auch, capital of the Gers department, where they dumped the uprooted plants around a fountain outside the city hall and distributed leaflets to bemused onlookers.

JOSPIN URGES ACTIVISTS TO STOP

"I cannot see how trade unionists or other people can give themselves the right to decide what is useful or not for scientific research," said Jospin in a television broadcast.

He described the protest as illegal and urged the activists to stop.

Monsanto denounced the protest and called on the government "to put an end to these provocative and delinquent acts."

The campaign to destroy GM crops started in late June, when the farm ministry published the list of French districts where genetically engineered plants were being tested.

"This feels really good," said Jacques Lachaud, a retired shopkeeper from Cap Vern in southwest France, after he cut down several stalks with a small sickle.

"I'm sick of eating lousy food. I will definitely be back for more (protests) if they want us."

The activists have accused the government of underestimating the possibility of cross-pollination between genetically modified and natural crops, and have threatened to continue their blitz on experimental fields across the country.

"This symbolises the local feeling about genetically modified crops," said Jean-Jacques Garbay, who helped coordinate the protest.

Leaders of France's ruling left-leaning coalition have condemned the crop destruction, but have conceded they shared activists' concerns about growing GM crops in the open air. Garbay, sporting a black beret and a faded blue cotton shirt, said he was concerned about the effect GM trials in the Gers might have on his own crops. The 43-year-old chicken farmer explained that he grows organic maize and other crops on his 26-hectare (65 acre) farm to feed to his birds. If pollen from GM maize "polluted" his fields it could prevent him from labelling his poultry as organic, thereby depriving him of a hefty premium, he said.