GM protesters 'destroyed wrong crops'

The campaigners claim they targeted the right crops

Anti-genetically modified (GM) crop campaigners destroyed a field of ordinary wheat by mistake at the weekend, according to the growers.

The unnamed group broke into the field of crops at a research centre in Berkshire early on Sunday morning, claiming they were a GM trial.

But the centre claims the crops were actually ordinary wheat - part of an important research project investigating a fungal disease.

The group claim they did not make a mistake, and that they had visited the site several times before attacking the crops.

Those who are closer to this project than me are quite distressed - extremely distressed

Ian Weatherhead, Syngenta

Ian Weatherhead, of Syngenta, which owns the research centre, said the company did apply to run a GM trial at the site, but it was cancelled due to a lack of seed.

He said: "We informed DEFRA some time ago that we were not going to continue with the trial.

"We've got young researchers based here at Jealotts Hill who have been working on this project for a number of years.

"Those who are closer to this project than me are quite distressed - extremely distressed.

"The fact that this was not a genetically modified trial makes it even more upsetting really."

Syngenta say the trial was one of several being conducted across the EU, and had been set back by the action.