Alun
Alesbury Esq.
C/o S
Brown / MAFF Conference Office
Barnes
Wallis Building
UMIST
Manchester
Conference Centre
PO BOX
88
Manchester
M60 1QD
Dear Mr
Alesbury,
Thank you for your latest communication regarding the possible adjournment of
the Chardon LL Hearing. It is clear from what has come to light that those
responsible for assessing Chardon LL in the light of the DUS and VCU criteria
let alone the broader safety issues, have sought to make short cuts in the
interests of getting it on the market as soon as possible. Serious questions are
therefore raised as to whether the application should be further considered at
all given that:
- While the DUS criteria are difficult to assess as a non-scientist, common
sense suggests that one year of tests is a totally inadequate time to
ascertain whether this variety produced by a new and unproven technology is
really Distinct, Uniform and Stable.
- The statistics regarding VCU point to a marginal improvement over other
varieties, which is far outweighed by the many unconsidered environmental
and safety concerns. After one year of tests its value for cultivation and
use cannot in all honesty be fully assessed.
- There is no real need for GM Seed. The main impetus for its development
seems to be the securing of patents for the companies involved – hardly a
value for cultivation or use!
- A major reason for this application seems to be the company’s concerns
that Chardon LL be assessed on criteria predating the current EU GM safety
regulations.
- That this whole issue has only emerged as a result of investigations
carried out in connection with the Hearing suggests an arrogant contempt of
court.
As a result of these concerns, the volumes of documented evidence resting
with the court, and the many irregularities being shown up (not to mention the
refusal of Aventis to allow cross-examination) the case for rejecting the
application to list Chardon LL is overwhelming.
Yours sincerely,
Bernard Jarman (Executive Director)