Second attack on GM crops

Oilseed rape was trampled and pulled up

Scotland's only full-scale farm trial of genetically modified crops has been attacked for the second time in two days.

About a quarter of an acre of oilseed rape was affected in the Sunday night incident at New Craig Farm, near Daviot, Aberdeenshire.

Grampian Police were already investigating an attack on the field on Saturday night when a different quarter-acre was trampled or pulled up.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for Gordon, Nora Radcliffe, said the attacks were irresponsible.

She said: "There are genuine fears surrounding GM technology which need to be addressed, however this is not the way to go about it.

"Even environmental groups agree that widespread testing has to be carried out on GM technology if we are to progress further.

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"The seed planted in Daviot has undergone every possible laboratory test, which is why it is now being tested and closely monitored in a field-scale trial."

"This unnecessary action by individuals with an extremist agenda serves no purpose whatsoever," she added.

A spokesman for the Scottish Executive condemned the attacks and said that if they continued, officials would have to consider withholding information about trial sites.

The incidents occurred shortly after Rural Affairs Minister Ross Finnie rejected calls for the trials to be abandoned.

It had emerged that non-GM oilseed rape sown as part of the experiment was contaminated with GM seed.

Kevin Stewart, spokesman of the campaign group Grampian Against GM, said he was not surprised that direct action had been taken.