Police Stop Destruction of Modified Maize Fields
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Police in riot gear prevented about 100 activists opposed to genetically modified crops from hacking down three fields of experimental maize in Sigalens in southwestern France.
It was the first time French police had stopped such crop sites from being ransacked since protesters began a campaign in late June to rip up bioengineered plants.
The action came after Prime Minister Lionel Jospin on Tuesday publicly criticized the destruction of genetically modified crop tests, describing the protests as illegal and urging activists to stop.
“When it’s illegal, it’s illegal. We said it nicely. They didn’t understand, so now we’re saying it less nicely,” Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany said.
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