Press Release

PILGRIM FOR A GM-FREE BRITAIN TO VISIT MONSANTO IN CAMBRIDGE

A Yorkshire man who is walking from his home in Scarborough to London as part of a nationwide campaign for a GM-free Britain will visit the Cambridge office of GM crops company Monsanto at 3pm Wednesday October 8th. Martin Haggerty is one of twenty green pilgrims from around Britain taking part in the pilgrimage for a GM-free Britain, which is heading for London to join hundreds of people in a GM-free harvest festival gathering and Tractor and Trolley Parade [1].

Mr Haggerty (41), a founder member of Scarborough Against Genetic Engineering and an independent researcher and writer [2], is nearing the end of his16-day journey from Scarborough to London. On Wednesday afternoon at 3PM he will visit the UK headquarters of GM-giants Monsanto [3] to deliver his statement of opposition to GM crops to the company.

Monsanto’s crops account for over 90% of the GM crops grown in the world, they are currently pushing for the commercial growing of GM crops in the UK.

Martin’s pilgrimage will end in London, where hundreds of people will take part in the Tractors and Trolleys Parade on Monday 13 October to express their opposition to GM. The pilgrims will join with farmers, campaigners and ordinary members of the public in a parade led by tractors through London, visiting Downing Street, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the National Farmers’ Union. The event is organised by Friends of the Earth, Five Year Freeze, Genetic Engineering Network and GM-free Cymru.

The event comes at a key time in the GM debate as the UK Government is expected to make a decision on the commercial future of GM crops in this country later this year.

Explaining his motivation for taking part in the pilgrimage, Martin Haggerty said:
“Genetic engineering is an entirely unnecessary technology for food and farming and it poses an unprecedented threat to the British countryside, to the people who live and work there and to our ability to choose healthy food. The walk is an act of witness in defence of human freedom and the environment.”

Notes:
[1] For more information on the GM-free Pilgrimage and London event, see www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/real_food/press_for_change/tractor_and_trolley/index.html
[2] A full biography and description of Martin’s reasons for joining the GM-free Britain pilgrimage are available from on 01865 243095.
[3] Monsanto UK Ltd, Trumpington, Cambridge, CB2 2LQ tel. 01223 849200
for more information on Monsanto see www.corporatewatch.org.uk/genetics/commercialisation/monsanto.htm

Contact:
For more information, or to arrange to interview with Martin Haggerty, call
Genetic Engineering Network 01865 243095
Or Martin Haggerty direct (only after 9am on 08/10/03) on 07990788795