Here's some good news on acquital of GM crop protesters at Worcester Crown Court.

Another trial at Mold Magistrates Court, including George Monbiot, starts tomorrow:

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/wales/newsid_1656000/1656597.stm



PRESS RELEASE - 19 November 2001

Jury acquit for cutting down GM crops - again

Today at Worcester Crown Court a Jury of 8 men and 4 women acquitted ,
Barbara Charvet, age 59, a retired English teacher and Jim Ridout age
26, a self employed landscape gardener on two counts of criminal
damage each when they cut down Genetically Modified (GM) maize in
August 2000 at Preston Wynn in Herefordshire [1].

The trial started on Tuesday November 13 at Worcester Crown Court. The
defendants say that their action on 5 August 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. Experts written testimony to support the concerns of
the defendants was provided by scientists in genetics and human
health, experts in agriculture, bees, pollen, science policy,
pesticides and the environment. They were not called to court.

On Thursday, the charges were changed from a single count of criminal
damage to two counts of criminal damage against each of the
defendants.

One charge for the damage to the GM crops and another for the damage
to the non-GM crops. The crops - both varieties of maize - were being
grown next to each other as part of the crop trial and both were cut
down.

This is the second jury acquittal for cutting down GM crops in Britain
[3]. Due to the uncertain value of the damage caused, the defendants
had the choice of a magistrates or crown court trial. Solicitor Mike
Schwarz of Bindmans in London and Barristers Anya Lewis / Terry
Munyard were defendant's council. The judge was Judge Ian Morris.

Barbara Charvet, Defendant and Hereford resident said "No one asked
local people if they wanted Genetically Modified crops. This trial was
as much a trial of them as it was of Jim and me. When the jury
acquitted us, they also rejected GM crops."

Jim Ridout, Defendant and Hereford resident stated "For the Government
to carry on with these GM crop trials is flying in the face of
democracy. Surely now they should abandon these trials and adopt the
precautionary principle."

ENDS

Contact: Media liaison 07905 771 174 / Pager - 07666 723 818
Mike Schwarz, Solicitor Bindmans 0207 8334433
Barbara and Jim 07890 899541

Editors Notes
[1]The Aventis GM maize was being grown at a crop research centre at
Rose Maund, Preston Wynn in Herefordshire. It was part of the
Government's farm scale trial programme of GM crops.

[2] Jim and Barbara both local residents had been actively campaigning
- writing letters, seeking meetings, demonstrating and petitioning
prior to cutting down the GM maize. Over 300 people concerned about GM
trials in Worcester/ Herefordshire attended a public meeting in
Upton Bishop village hall in May 2000.

[3] On 20 September 2000 Greenpeace volunteers were acquitted in a
jury trial at Norwich Crown Court of criminal damage for cutting down
GM maize at a farm in Lyng, Norfolk. Solicitor's Bindmans also acted
for Greenpeace.

Picture Editors Notes

[1] Pictures of the defendants at the start of the trial on Tuesday
November 13 are available from the Press Association.

Genetic Engineering Network
1a Waterlow Road, Archway,
London, N19 5NJ
0207 2721586
 gen@gn.apc.org
www.geneticsaction.org.uk
To subscribe to gen lists e-mail  genetics@gn.apc.org