Protesters uproot wrong crop


9 May 2000



Protesters uproot wrong crop


PROTESTERS who destroyed crops on a test site missed genetically modified oil seed rape and tore up decoy conventional plants, a court heard on Monday (09 May).

Around 100m2 of the Scottish Agricultural College test site at Boghall Farm, near Dalkeith, Midlothian was damaged, Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told.

Catherine Johnson, 31, from Fife and Stokely Webster, 29, from London were charged with obstructing the police, reports The Guardian.

Mark Ballard, 28, and James MacKenzie, 27, both of Stockbridge, Edinburgh, Matthew Herbert, 29, from St Andrews, and Alan Tolmie, 33, from Edinburgh, were all charged with vandalism and obstructing the police.

All six pleaded not guilty.

David Cranstoun, agronomist in charge of the site, told the court that it was possible for GM pollen to cross-pollinate conventional crops of the same species.

The hearing continues.


  • The Guardian 09/05/2000 page 12

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