March 9 2002 -
Undercurrents travelled to Long Marston to record over 100 campaigners destroy a crop of Genetically Modified oilseed rape at Forest Farm. 2002 is the final year of the farm scale GM trials in Britain.

Last year a survey carried out in the village showed that the majority of residents do not want GM crops. Letters have been written to MPs, Local Authorities, and the farmer himself asking for the trial to be stopped.

Local people have attended a public meeting at the time of sowing in October to demand action from the Government and Aventis, the biotech company who manufacture the GM crops. The trial has even reported to the police for the criminal damage that could be caused through contamination of neighbouring crops rendering them unsaleable.

Police were unsure of their role as they watched and videotaped people as they pulled up plants, played samba, waved flags, and spoke to the media. Eventually five arrests were made for criminal damage. Despite Sky news, ITN, undercurrents and Central news being present, the BBC were noted by the absence. Apparently two trees blown over by gales were more newsworthy.

Read previous reports on  http://uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=24688&group=webcast

(I wish people would learn to check for previous reports and either add to them or link to them - doesn't that make sense?)