A CAMPAIGNER against genetically modified crops told a jury how a detective came to his home after he visited a farm at the centre of plant trials.

Self-employed organic gardener James Ridout was quizzed about whether he was planning any direct action against GM maize on the research site and whether he had connections with animal rights groups.

He had felt fobbed off after staff at Rosemaund Farm in Preston Wynne, Herefordshire, refused to talk to him.

Ridout told Worcester Crown Court he felt it was unfair police came to question him just because he was concerned about the effects of GM crops on the food chain. He believed the research was putting people in danger.

Destroyed

Later, he joined three other protesters who entered the site and destroyed two acres of maize.

The 26-year-old, of The Lyons, Orcop, and 59-year-old Barbara Charvet, a former teacher, of Wern Derys, Michaelchurch Escley, both Herefordshire, deny criminal damage and maintain they have a lawful excuse.

The court heard how Ridout had become increasingly worried about GM crops. He wrote to supermarkets, Government bodies and his MP and set up a GM-free register for Herefordshire.

He attended a public meeting where 300 people condemned the crop experiment.

But he came to realise the protest was being ignored. As flowering time for the crop approached, he decided to act with the aim of hacking down GM maize to prevent cross-pollination.

Ridout said protesters brought 20 extra white suits for others to work in. They were expecting a minibus of GM campaigners from Cardiff, but they failed to turn up on August 5 last year.

He surrendered to police after cutting the maize for more than two hours because of a threat to send tracker dogs in.

"I feared the surrounding crops would become contaminated and create a dangerous situation for myself and other people through the food chain," he told the jury. "These are living things which can't be stopped once they're out.

"Soil can also be contaminated by the genes and bee-keeping directly affected. They've found GM bacteria in bees' stomachs."

Ridout said there were fears the bacteria could become attached to the e-coli virus and passed on to cows fed on the maize. Research done on broiler chickens and rats was inadequate.

Frustrated

Press releases had been sent out to inform residents the protesters were peaceful and accountable for their actions.

Ridout said his co-defendant Charvet, who had gained a PhD and a permaculture qualification, influenced his thinking and admitted he became frustrated by a Government which ignored the risks involved in 45 GM sites.

"They're brushing off human concerns," he said. "They're endangering everyone. My job is to protect us."

Ridout said he had acted out of conscience, backed up by significant evidence from a number of scientists.

The trial continues.