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GM Crop Damage Fine

Hector Christie from Instow in North Devon has been fined almost four thousand pounds after damaging crops at the Rothampsted Research Centre in Hertfordshire in May.

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Devon man fined £4,000 for GM centre damage

A Devon man has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 in compensation to a research centre carrying out a GM wheat experiment after admitting causing criminal damage.

Hector Christie was arrested following a break-in at a research centre in Hertfordshire, where a trial of GM wheat is taking place.

The 50-year-old from Instow, was fined £350 and ordered to pay compensation of £3,850. He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Scientists at the centre are conducting a controlled GM wheat experiment, combining modern genetic engineering with their knowledge of natural plant defences, to test whether wheat which can repel aphids works in the field.

This act of vandalism has attempted to deny us all the opportunity to gather knowledge and evidence, for current and future generations, on one possible technological alternative approach to get plants to defend themselves and therefore reduce pesticide use.

– Dr Maurice Moloney, Director and Chief Executive of Rothamsted Research
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GM Crop Damage Fine

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