GM crop women in court


26 August 1998


GM crop women in court

DEMONSTRATORS turned up in force outside a Devon court for the appearance of two women charged with causing £600,000 of damage to a crop of genetically modified (GM) maize.

Jacklyn Sheedy and Elizabeth Snook, who both live in London, pleaded not guilty to criminal damage when they appeared before Totnes magistrates.

They were remanded on bail until 17 November on condition they live at home, do not enter Devon, abide by a curfew and report to police daily.

The two were arrested following the destruction of maize at a National Institute of Agricultural Botany seed trials site at Hood Barton in Devon.

Their solicitor said they would put forward a defence of lawful excuse, protecting property belonging to another person. The trial site is close to an organic farm which has taken unsuccessful legal action against the GM trial.

The Guardianalso reports on the local support for the eco-protestors action in Totnes.

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