High Court decision today on GM maize trials

10 July 1998

High Court decision today on GM maize trials

The High Court will announce today whether it has agreed an application for a judicial review of the governments decision to allow trials of genetically modified (GM) maize on a farm at Buckfastleigh, near Totnes, Devon.

The application came from Guy Watson, who runs the adjacent Wash Barn farm, which he has converted to organic production. He claims the government allowed GM maize to be grown near his sweetcorn crop, in disregard of the law.

He fears cross-pollination from the maize to his own sweet corn crop which would lose him his status as an organic farmer. He says his whole enterprise could be ruined.

The Times says it is a legal challenge which could have implications for other farmers intending to grow GM crops.