Yorkshire
and Humber Green Party
Feb
2008
A GM trial is planned for Tadcaster beginning April 1st (!) this year. Get involved and make them think again!
Tadcaster is halfway between Leeds and York. We have just found out about an application
to trial GM potatoes with an apparent resistance to
potato cyst nematodes at Leeds University.
After looking at the map - the actual site
is Headley Hall Farm, Spen Common Lane, Tadcaster LS24 9NT which
seems to be half way between Leeds and York, also not too far away from
Harrogate.
It is on Google maps here, or at:
Lat = 53 degrees, 52.1 minutes
North
Long = 1 degrees, 19.5 minutes West
The actual trial is proposed for 1st April (somewhat appropriately)
2008 and is on University land so it is actually the Uni
who are treading this path. It is a publicly funded research program.
Draft letter follows. Include reference
number in the Subject line.
Dear Sir / Madam,
RE: Application 07-R31-01
I am writing to object to the application by Leeds University to carry out trials of genetically modified potatoes at Headley Hall Farm, because:
- Britain is GM free and should be kept so
RE: Application 07-R31-01
I am writing to object to the application by Leeds University to carry out trials of genetically modified potatoes at Headley Hall Farm, because:
- Britain is GM free and should be kept so
- There is no demand for GM potatoes now,
indeed the growing demand is for organic produce.
- The trials represent an unnecessary risk
to the environment and the integrity of the GM-free potato supplies in
the UK.
- The trial is not in the interests of
sustainable farming
- There is a high risk of contamination
- a Neomycin-resistant gene may lead to
- There are serious food safety issues in conducting this trial
- There is a high risk of contamination
- a Neomycin-resistant gene may lead to
- There are serious food safety issues in conducting this trial
The potato cyst nematode is a serious problem for potato farmers, but there are alternative, safe and ecologically sustainable methods of minimizing crop loss. The use of GM crops may actually increase yield losses due to this and other pests.
Conventionally bred resistant varieties are already available. With long rotations and good hygiene these can minimize losses. GM PCN repellant potatoes may lead to shorter rotations increasing soil erosion and risks of other potato pests and diseases (which number 600 in the UK) and imply an increase in pesticide use.
I urge you to reject this application.
Yours faithfully,
Please get your objections in and join the campaign to keep Britain GM
free.
Our views on GM organisms >>>