Wivenhoe: GM protest group backs Euro ban on pesticides

Roger Mainwood, spokesman for Concerned Residents of Wivenhoe (CROW), commended the European Parliament after it announced that permits for 22 types are likely to be withdrawn.

He said: “This is not an immediate ban, so some of the pesticides will be in use for another five years.

“Farmers will therefore be given a big phasing-out period where less toxic alternatives can be brought in.

“According to the Soil Association, the vast majority of farmers don't regularly use these pesticides on a regular basis, and those that do use them can find alternatives.”

Mr Mainwood added that CROW members will be especially satisfied that the ban includes the herbicide glufosinate.

In 2001, the group protested against the trial of genetically-modified maize at Sunnymead Farm in Wivenhoe, where glufosinate was used on the crops.

“If the farmer had been allowed to grow GM crops after the trial, we would have had years of glufosinate use by now,” said Mr Mainwood, who lives in Belle Vue Road.

However, news of the ban has not been welcomed by all parties - with opponents fearful of its possible affect on crop production.

Local farmer Guy Smith, who sits on the council of the National Farmers' Union, said: “I need these tools to keep me competitive.

“In tennis terms, it would be like sending Andy Murray out with a catgut racket to play Roger Federer who is allowed to use the best graphite racket.

“If I've got less tools in my box, I won't be able to compete with countries that have lower standards.

“More and more food will have to be imported from abroad.”

Mr Smith, who runs Wigboro Wick Farm in St Osyth, says that he has never been personally affected by pesticides in his 30 years in the industry.

He added: “People automatically assume that if something's natural then it's safe and if it's man-made it's not.

“But that's not always the case.

“Weedkillers are less dangerous than the weeds they kill, like deadly nightshade and hemlock.”