From Friends of the Earth Media Office Press Release Immediate Release: Sat 15 November 2003 National Trust Members vote to go GM Free National Trust members have voted overwhelmingly for the Trust to go GM free today and to ban GM crops from being grown on Trust land. The environmental lobbying group, Friends of the Earth, has welcomed the vote which took place at the National Trust AGM in Portsmouth and is urging the Trust to act on members wishes. The Trust is the largest private owner of agricultural land in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The resolution was carried by a huge majority of almost 60% (50,412) voting against GM crops being grown, with only 15% in favour of GM and 26% of members abstaining. The National Trust owns more than six hundred thousand acres of land - over 80 per cent of which is farmed or depends upon farming for its management. The National Trust has 3 million members. The Co-op, the UK's largest farmer, banned GM crops and foods from its entire business earlier this month [3] Janet Perry, National Trust member who proposed the resolution said: "I am delighted that members of the National Trust have passed this resolution. I hope the council will now take note of the views of the National Trust members and take action to prevent GM crops being grown on Trust land." Friends of the Earth's GM campaigner, Clare Oxborrow said "We welcome this vote to keep National Trust land to GM free. We call on the Trust to respond to members and put in place a strong policy banning GM crops. Their tenant farmers should welcome their decision because it will help them keep their crops GM-free. We hope the Trust's decision will be backed by strong Government responses that enables landowners to remain free of GM contamination and ensure that biotech companies are liable for any harm caused by GM crops through tough legislation". For further information and to arrange interview or filming contact: NICOLA JACKSON, Media Co-ordinator - 020 7554 2700 / 07957 210 787 Clare Oxborrow, Friends of the Earth GM Campaigner - 07712 843 211 Janet Perry, National Trust member who proposed the resolution - 07730 767093 Notes: [1] Members' resolution on the Trust's position on genetically modified crops