Smash Genetics

The second big genetics action of the month was at Spital in the Street in Lincolnshire. The crop was trashed, but the action was marred by forty-six arrests.

Unlike at Watlington two weeks before, the target was not one of the seven government listed farm scale trials, but a field of AgrEvo's GM fodder maize which already has consent to be grown throughout the European Union. This means that the government is under no obligation to inform the public, or other farmers, about where it is being grown and that it can be used in animal and livestock feeds.

Around 80 people arrived onto the site masked up in white suits (which do a really good job of disguising body shape as well as preventing transfer of pollen) and took about two hours destroying much of the crop, until police presence started to reach uncomfortable numbers and the decision was made to leave. However, the escape route involved crossing a road, and by the time the bulk of the crowd had reached that point, a police line had formed. Attempts to keep together and de-arrest those who got grabbed were successful for a while but gradually the police began to capture more and more people. At this point a number of people broke through police lines, across the road and into some woods.

Another mile across country, they managed to meet up with the convoy of getaway vehicles ' however, all the vehicles had entered a field , and the local farmer moved in to block the exits.

Some people still managed to get away by abandoning the vehicles and running along ditches and hedgerows for miles; others stayed with the vehicles and managed to smash through hedges to escape. But many of the drivers and passengers who for one reason or another were not on the action, got arrested.

All 46 arrestees were charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage (as well as criminal damage itself). They were kept in for two days to appear in court on the Monday, when all were released on bail except three who were remanded (two of which were released following an appeal).

After the action the farmer claimed that the field was not GM after all but rather conventional maize, estimating the damage at only '2000. However, samples were laboratory tested before the action where they were confirmed to be GE, and further tests are taking place.