12th June 2003 Forest Row, East Sussex: A group of committed people in this small Sussex village are working flat out to organise a public debate on the commercial planting of GM crops in the UK. Time is short. The government has called for active public participation in the debate before they make a final decision, with results back for evaluation by mid-July. The Forest Row debate is scheduled for 27th June.

The group, who have called themselves the 'Sussex GM Forum', is expecting the event will pack the picturesque and historic Village Hall. Forty years ago President Kennedy stopped by — probably to pick up some organic cheese, quip the locals.

Headline speakers who have agreed to start off the debate include the local MP, Charles Hendry, Professor Vivian Moses from University College London, and Pete Riley, GM Campaigner from Friends of the Earth. The debate will be chaired by Chris Wilson, Financial Director of Emerson College, where Britain’s most prestigious course in Biodynamic Farming is held.

Even after the debate is over, the fight to be heard will continue. In fact, not only will the gloves come off, but pretty much everything else as well. Mike Grenville, another member of the group is organising a Bare Witness protest for the Sunday following the debate, 29th June. A group of people will strip off in a field of rapeseed to form the words: NO GM RAPE. Mike organised a similar protest before the Iraq war, in the depths of winter. “People feel passionately about this issue and sense that in spite of the debate the government is not listening,” says Mike.

Over 3,000 posters and leaflets have been prepared by the group that will flag up the meeting across the northern part of the county. “This is a critical moment for farming in this country. The farmers are absolutely the key people in the firing line. They have to make the decision on whether they go GM. Many believe it is a matter of survival in a difficult world, but they should be in no doubt of the public’s attitude,” says Ben Nash, a cartoonist in the village. “Many in the community believe that, once released into the environment, the GM genie can not be returned to its bottle. The outcome of this fateful decision is extremely uncertain. As we say to people in our posters and leaflets, we must all make our voice heard. SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD THY PEAS!

For more information, pictures and interviews call

Mike Grenville 01342 825169 email: mike@barewitness.org

David Jonas 01342 826144 email: davidj@vegexp.co.uk

www.barewitness.org

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