The ongoing battle between environmental campaigners and biotechnology giant Monsanto escalated further last week with the start of court proceedings against seven environmentalists. They face charges of forcible entry and of criminal damage without lawful excuse, relating to the destruction of a genetically modified sugar beet crop at Arthurstown, near New Ross, Co Wexford.
Hot Press should, however, declare an interest. Our own Adrienne Murphy is one of the accused, together with fellow journalist Caomhin Woods, poet and writer John Seymour, publican Richard Roche, campaigners Gavin Harte and David Philips, and Pauric Cannon, secretary of Dublin Food Co-op.
It is alleged that together they caused damage totalling #16,000 to the crop on June 21st last year. The crops were being tested on a four year licence which Monsanto had successfully applied for from the Environmental Protection Agency in February 1998. The accused claim however, that around 90% of the crop had already been pulled up anonymously some nights before their own action. Furthermore, they will be pleading not guilty to the charges arguing instead that they had lawful excuse for what they did. The full trial has been adjourned until March 31st.
The accused presented a somewhat incongruous picture at their first appearance before the court. John Seymour, for example, is an amiable 84-year-old whose appearance is about as far from the stereotype of the 'mindless vandal' as it is possible to get. Seymour created something of a stir when he stated that he was willing to go to jail if convicted. In The Examiner he was reported as asking, If a government does not take action to protect its citizens from danger, is it not reasonable that the citizens should take action to protect themselves?
At the heart of the issue is the continuing uncertainty about the ramifications of genetic engineering. Opponents say that the process has not been adequately tested, and claim there is a possibility that GM crops could have horrific effects on the environment, while they believe even grimmer possibilities could manifest themselves regarding human consumption of GM products. Monsanto for their part insist that 20 years of research has not produced a single example of damage either to people or to the environment.
On the face of it the eco-activists involved face an uphill struggle. Yet, although their financial resources are meagre compared to the might of an international corporation like Monsanto, the case has already garnered considerable publicity which will undoubtedly continue to grow, and they have also received public support from TDs John Gormley and Joe Higgins. Certainly defeat seems the last thing on the mind of the 'Monsanto 7's' legal representative David Bulbulia. He informed a press conference last week that he had not considered the possibility of his clients being convicted.
Come late March, watch this space . . .