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No regrets over GM protest - Melchett

The Labour peer was freed on bail on Wednesday, having been detained since Monday at Knox Road jail, Norwich.

He was one of 28 Greenpeace protesters charged after the alleged attack on a GM crop trial farm at Lyng, Norfolk, but was the only one held in custody.

He said he believed a lot of people supported his action in trying to stop "a very serious threat to the environment".

"I was very pleased that we managed to remove some of the genetic pollution," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Asked whether he would do the same thing again, Lord Melchett, 51, said: "I'm not going to rule anything out, I don't know what's going to happen."

He said he hoped the government would reconsider its position on GM testing.

"The chemical industry think they have some sort of private right to plant this stuff and cause this pollution to the environment and this threat," he said.

Strict bail conditions

"I think the public have a right to protect the environment. I hope the government will listen and re-think."

A judge sitting in chambers agreed to release him on bail, subject to stringent conditions which include him having to stay away from a number of GM sites.

After spending a few days making sure the other campaigners arrested are "all OK", he will join his family in Tanzania on a scuba diving trip.

All those charged are accused of criminal damage to a crop of maize, and of trying to remove some of the crops.

Lord Melchett, of Hunstanton, Norfolk, entered no pleas and the case was adjourned until 5 August. The cost of the damage to the crops has been estimated at £750.

Relevant Stories

GM crops get police protection (28 Jul 99 | UK)
Lord Melchett: Aristocrat eco-warrior (27 Jul 99 | UK)
Organic picnic slams GM food (25 Jul 99 | UK)

Internet Links

AgrEvo
Commercial use of GM crops (Department of the Environment)
Greenpeace
Friends of the Earth: List of GM test sites

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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