Flour Power: Protest Against GM Wheat Crop

About 200 anti-GM activists have protested outside an agricultural research centre where a genetically modified wheat crop is being grown.

Scientists at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, had been concerned that members of campaigning group Take The Flour Back would attempt to destroy GM wheat crops.

The local council signed an order banning protesters from going onto public land where the research is being carried out after threats of "significant damage" to the crops.

Security was increased ahead of the demonstration and there was a heavy police presence in the area, with police outnumbering protesters. The event passed off peacefully.

The activists, who fear the wheat could "contaminate" nearby fields, held a picnic in a nearby park and listened to speeches.

They are concerned that researchers are inserting a gene from the peppermint plant into the wheat to repel pests.

Tom Fenton, from Take The Flour Back , said: "Rothamsted have done a very good job with making it seem benign and fluffy.

"In reality we don't really know what the effects of GM are because there's not been adequate long-term testing.

"Safety tests that have taken place have indicated things that are concerning but that haven't been followed up.

"Also, we hear a lot about how GM is going to feed the world but the majority in the developing world don't want this technology as they can see it's not going to help to feed them."

But Professor Maurice Moloney, director of Rothamsted Research, said any chance of cross-pollination was miniscule and protesters could ruin years of research.

He said: "We have no idea who is advising them scientifically, because it is absolutely incorrect.

"Wheat is a self-pollinating plant so there is virtually no chance of any cross-pollination with local wheat.

"The way we have grown the wheat is desynchronised with local wheat as well, meaning it flowers at different times. It is the equivalent risk of worrying that a tornado would hit you."

Green Party MP Jenny Jones, who joined the campaigners, said: "I do worry that we're using public money for this. It's very difficult to sell GM products in Britain. No one wants to eat them, so why are we doing the research here?"

Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris joined a small counter-demonstration in support of GM research.

"There's a debate to be had about the potential merits and drawbacks of GM crops," he said.

"We'll only get the answers by having the research, we won't get to the answers by destroying it."