Organic farmer on warpath

AN ORGANIC farmer may take legal action to prevent a neighbour planting weedkiller-resistant, genetically engineered maize, it emerged today.

The Soil Association, which certifies food as organic, has said that its concerns about genetic contamination may lead to the environmentally- conscious grower near Totnes, Devon, losing his organic status over the crop.

Friends of the Earth has warned that the case could be "only the first of many" if the Government does not impose a moratorium on genetically- engineered crops. The test site is close to where the organic farmer plans to plant a sweetcorn crop. The two crops could cross-pollinate.

Peter Riley of FoE said "The threat to the livelihood of an organic farmer is yet another example of the dangers of planting genetically modified crops."