Cruelty Free Living
Issue 5: August-October 1999
Stop the Crop
On 28 March 1999 around 150 demonstrators marched to the Scottish Agricultural College lands as Lasswade near Edinburgh, where Monsanto and Agrevo UK Ltd have applied to test genetically modified rape seed, demanding an end to field trials of genetically modified plants. Protesters chanted carrying banners, placards and scarecrows and some climbed into the field at Boghall Farm to pull up seedlings. There were several arrests and a trial is expected in the Autumn.
On 29 March 1999, 2 Plymouth women, facing charges of causing £60,000 of damage to a test site in England were acquitted.
It is clear that there is much public opposition to GM crops and certainly the technology has not been proven safe.
If you want to avoid GM food see the article on True Food or if you want more information locally you can contact Fife Earth First (who organised the Boghall Farm protest) c/o 91 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9QW, Tel: (01334) 477411.