Letter: Verdict on GM trials

Sir: In this sleepy Devon town, between a third and half of the peaceful, law-abiding inhabitants last year put their names to a petition supporting direct action against GM crops, about 3,500 signatures in all.

The reason that GM crops are so hated and feared is that once the wider environment has been contaminated with mutant DNA there is no way of reversing the damage - it is with us for all time. Even radioactivity has a half-life, but genetic pollution is permanent. And that is why the only testing that is acceptable is testing that takes place in a closed system in a laboratory.

It is obvious that the present field trial regime represents the industry and government colluding to make commercial planting a fait accompli. That is why I support Greenpeace and crop-pullers everywhere.

ALASTAIR SUTHERLAND

Totnes, Devon