-Caveat Lector- Wednesday, February 17, 1999 Published at 17:44 GMT BBC Online Sci/Tech GM firms fined for safety breach Two companies have admitted failing to control an area of genetically-modified crops. They were fined a total of £31,000 for breaching government regulations. In the first case of its kind in this country, the American chemical giant, Monsanto, and the Worcestershire-based company, Perryfields, pleaded guilty before magistrates at Caistor in Lincolnshire. The Health and Safety Executive brought the prosecution after a routine inspection of an experimental field of oil-seed rape last summer. Monsanto failed to comply with the law covering the release of GM crops. Investigators claim they found a barrier,designed to stop the transfer of GM pollen from herbicide-tolerant oilseed rape to neighbouring crops of un-modified oilseed, had been partially removed before flowering. This, it is claimed, could lead to the cross-pollenation of the two. Crown court call Monsanto had said before the trial it would not be contesting the allegations in court. It was fined £17,000 and ordered to pay £6,159 court costs. Perryfields Holdings was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay £5,000 court costs. Friends of the Earth had called for the case to be sent to crown court where penalties are heavier. Magistrates can impose a fine of up to £20,000, but crown court fines are unlimited. Friends of the Earth senior food campaigner Pete Riley described the fine as "pathetic" and said it should have been much heavier. "To a company as large as Monsanto, it is less a slap on the wrist than a tickle with a legal feather," he said. "The big biotech companies must stop playing Russian roulette with the British countryside." Barrier 'mown down' Before the trial Monsanto issued a statement which said: "We regret the breach of consent at the trial in Lincolnshire. "In co-operation with the DETR and MAFF we took immediate steps to limit any potential environmental impact." It says that part of a barrier to stop GM pollen getting loose had been mown down by a contractor by accident. All GM plants were destroyed along with any plants within a 50-metre radius, following the HSE inspection. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
