Greenpeace chief cleared over GM protest

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Greenpeace chief cleared over GM protest

Lord Melchett, executive director of Greenpeace, and 27 others supporters of

the environmental protest group have been found not guilty of causing

criminal damage when they trashed a field of genetically-modified maize.

Greenpeace, which hailed the decision as a legal landmark, says it was

delighted by the verdicts returned by a jury at Norwich Crown Court

following a two-week trial.

At a trial in April all 28 were cleared of theft as a result of the same

incident but that jury failed to reach a verdict on the criminal damage

charge.

" We're delighted by the verdict, " said a Greenpeace spokesman. " We always

said we were acting to protect other crops and the jury clearly believed

us. "

The charge arose out of a Greenpeace orchestrated attack on a field of

genetically-modified maize at Lyng, Norfolk in August last year.

The 28 defendants admitted trashing the field but said they were acting to

prevent pollen from the genetically-modified maize from polluting

neighbouring organic crops and gardens.

Judge Mellor ruled that the prosecution should foot all costs of both

trials.

Detective Sergeant Tom Neill, the officer in the case, said: " As far as we

are concerned this does not set any precedent.

" We accept today's verdict but believe the prosecution was fairly brought. "

Lord Melchett said of the verdict: " Obviously we are all delighted but it is

not about us. We acted to protect the environment, the countryside and

British farming from GM contamination and we were right to do that. Now it

is time for Mr Blair and the chemical companies to stop growing GM crops. "

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