Indymedia York

A field shown in a planning applications as destined to be planted with GM Potato test crops was invaded today by around 100 activists and locals, and planted with non-GM potato seed. BASF, along with Monsanto, are conducting attempting to conduct the trials which would be the first in Britain for three years. The new brand of potato is intended to be resistant to ‘late-blight’. Its thought the action might render any future GM trial in the field impossible for some years to come.

UPDATE: BASF have now cancelled this trial, though have not ruled out other sites.

Around 200 protestors in Hull marched, picnicked and planted GM-free potatoes at a site marked for the BASF trial crop. The picnic saw Hedon Against GM joined by people from all over the country and was widely viewed as a success. Protestors entered the field and planted organic potatoes as the police generally stood by and watched.

Indymedia feature about the trials and the protests | More information about the issues surrounding these trials on Mutatoes.org
Reports on the day: [1], [2], [3], [4] and pictures

Potatoes against GM Protestors have planted non-GM organic potatoes on a site that it is believed the Government will authorise for the testing of a BASF genetically modifed potato.

The trial site for Cambridge has already been approved. After having to move the proposed northern site as a previous farmer backed out the closing date for submissions about the new site near Hull was yesterday. Local farmers have already tried to get the trial stopped.

Demonstration setting off from the edge of Hull in the direction of the proposed trial site

Mutatoes ready for digging, potatoes ready for planting

Protesters starting to enter the field belived to about to be given authorisation to start trial of the BASF Genetically Modified potato crop.

A potato plants a non-genetically modified potato

This month a controversial experimental genetically modified potato crop is due to be planted in the UK by the German based multinational BASF. One of the two trial sites is in the East Riding.