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Bayer Come a Cropper

Bayer have withdrawn the only GM crop with (partial) commercial approval. They blame government regulation and caution for holding up the crop which is now technologically and economically obsolete. However it has taken five years to get just one crop this far, which has been the result of the delays caused by the many crop trashings, lobbying, blockades, research and not a little consumer pressure.

When a government announces commercialisation of a GM crop, and then three weeks later, the very large multinational company responsible withdraws it from commercialisation, it would be a fair assumption that someone, somewhere, has put a spanner in the works.

Bayer test

"The first time I saw Chardon LL in a field, I took a particular dislike to it"

- Anonymous Crop Trasher

When a government announces commercialisation of a GM crop, and then the very large multinational company responsible for the crop three weeks later withdraws it's commercialisation, it would be a fair assumption that someone, somewhere, has put a spanner in the works.

So the government wanted commercialisation now, and it will happen in 2008?? Not if we have anything to do with it. For those people who spent uncomfortable nights in fields, resulting in aching backs and sore knees, for all those who have spent time speaking to local and central and european government, and for all those who rejected GM at the till this is a massive victory.

The breadth and variety of the campaign against GM in general,and against Bayer in particular has been a unusually persistent and vigorous one. The list of links to articles and organisations below pay tribute to that.

Whilst we can pat ourselves on the back, we should remember of the threat of imported animal feed into the food chain is continuing.(www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/03/287593.html)

Today's BBc report on the withdrawl of Chardon. "Bayer deals blow to GM crops"