From: Sharon Cox,  Taunton Friends of the Earth.

Contact tel:  01823 352991
Date: 18 August, 2002                                                  

Press Release 
 
TWENTY GM PROTESTERS ARRESTED AT AVENTIS SITE IN HILTON DORSET 

Scores of anti-GM protesters gathered at a field of GM  crops  in
Hilton,  Dorset  on  Sunday.   Their  objective was to remove and
destroy  a  hazardous  crop   being   grown   by   accident-prone
biotechnology company Aventis Cropscience.  

Dressed  in protective clothing and armed with polythene sacks to
carry away the plants,  protestors  entered  the  site  and  were
immediately set upon by police.  Over twenty arrests were made.  

Protester Sharon Cox said 'For years campaigners have been saying
that GM crop experiments are dangerous and should be conducted in
controlled  conditions in laboratories,  not out in the open air.
In the past we have always been told that  we  are  wrong  to  be
concerned  and  we have been given assurances time and time again
that nothing can or will go wrong.  It has now been  proved  that
the  system  administered  by the government which is supposed to
control and regulate GM experiments and protect  the  public  has
failed,  things  have  gone wrong.  This site contains an Aventis
crop which is hazardous.  The government are aware that  mistakes
have been made and merely claim to be 'very annoyed'.  We have no
choice  if  we  want  to  protect  the  environment for those the
future, it is up to us to remove it and prevent further damage to
the environment because the government are prepared to sit and do
nothing.  

ENDS 

For futher information contact Sharon Cox
Telephone 01823 352991, Mobile 0775 953 0431