GM Court Victories

Successful Defence

After waiting over a year for their trial, on Nov 19th two people were found not guilty on two counts of criminal damage for cutting down Genetically Modified (GM) maize at Preston Wynn in Herefordshire.

The project was part of a government experiment testing the effect of GM crops on other plants.

The trial started on Nov 13th at Worcester Crown Court. The defendants say that their action on August 5th 2000, in openly cutting down the GM maize using sickles was lawful as they acted to prevent immediate damage to near-by crops, the environment and public health. This is the second jury acquittal for cutting down GM crops in Britain.

Contacts: Media liaison 07905 771 174 /pager - 07666 723 818. Mike Schwarz, Solicitor 0207 8334433.

Defendants 07890 899541.

Appeal Won

On Oct 16th, a GM puller won her High Court appeal against a charge of Aggravated Trespass. The judge decided the charge was not appropriate for someone who pulled up GM crops if no-one was in the field at the time, as nobody’s lawful activities were being interrupted. The case relates to the pulling up of Aventis GM maize at Over Compton, Dorset after a rally on 16th July 2000. At least 19 other related cases may now never come to court.

Contact: 07973 953 446 www.gn.apc.org/pmhp/gs

Visa-Card 1: Charges Dropped

Bad news... Almost a year after a field of GM oilseed rape was 80% destroyed covertly, police arrested the owner of a credit card found on the field (doh!!). He was charged with over £17,000 of criminal damage. Good news...In yet another blow to the biotech nasties, the charges were dropped the day before the Visa-card 1 was due in court. After a spate of victories in the courtroom (and in the fields!), the CPS seem unwilling to prosecute people caught destroying GM trials, this the latest in a run of dropped charges.