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Greenpeace
bees arrested
Action drew attention to GE experiments in Swedish fields
 SVALlÖV,
SWEDEN, 14 May 2002 - Greenpeace activists who have protested
for almost a month against field trials of genetically engineered
(GE) crops were today forced to leave the fields where the
open-air genetic experiment it now taking place.
The activists
ocupied the fields in Svalöv and Klippan, in southern
Sweden since April 17. This was the week after Greenpeace
learned Swedish company Svalöf Weibull had received permission
from the Swedish authorities to conduct two field trials with
GE oilseed rape.
The activists
drew attention to the fact that GE crops have the potential
to cause widespread contamination of conventional and organic
agriculture, and of food products, including honey. Dressed
as bees, the activists planted bushes, flowers and organic
grass seed.
But on
May 14 Svalöf Weibull attempted to start sowing at one
of thei fields. The company arrived with a bulldozer and tractor,
and accompanied by police, including four police cars and
one
helicopter. Six Greenpeace activists managed to stop the machines
for several hours, but were eventually arrested. The field
has now been sown with GE rape seed (canola).
 Swedish
authorities demand that the GE oilseed rape fields be surrounded
by an eight-metre border of sterile, male rapeseed plants,
and that they be distanced at least 500 metres from any other
oilseed rape plants being cultivated. However, research has
shown that rapeseed pollen can spread much further through
insects and wind. The risk of GE contamination has been further
confirmed by a recent report of the European Environmental
Agency (EEA) that described oilseed rape as high risk for
gene flow from crop to crop, and from crops to wild relatives.
Greenpeace
demands the immediate halt of all genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) releases into the environment. Research and development
should instead be focused on sustainable farming solutions.
Further
information:
Genetic
pollution - A multiplying nightmare
Zero
tolerance: No GMO releases via seed contamination
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