Decision in GM crop appeal unlikely today

15 July 1998

Decision in GM crop appeal unlikely today

by FWi staff

DEVON organic farmer Guy Watson is unlikely to hear today whether he has won his appeal against last weeks judgement that upheld the legality of a nearby genetically-modified (GM) crops trial site.

Lawyers spent much of this morning trying to persuade three appeal judges at the High Court that the nearby test plot of herbicide-resistant GM maize could contaminate organic crops on Mr Watsons farm.

Last week, Mr Justice Jowitt rejected this argument saying the risk of cross-pollination with Mr Watsons organic sweetcorn was “close to zero.”

The appeal will continue this afternoon. The judges are expected to make a ruling on the case tomorrow or next week.