Thursday 26th November 1998 EMBARGOED until 11.00 a.m. Thursday 10th December 1998 PRESS RELEASE Parliamentary launch of genetics action handbook Photo-opportunity On Thursday 10th December 1998 [1], Melanie Jarman of genetiX snowball will launch the 'genetiX snowball Handbook for Action - a guide to safely removing genetically modified (GM) crops from release sites in Britain’. Alan Simpson, Labour M.P for Nottingham South will speak at the launch in the House of Commons (room W1). The launch starts at 11.15 a.m. and will be completed by 12.00 noon. The 115 page Handbook for Action describes the motivation and inspiration for the genetiX snowball campaign [2]. It sets out the campaign's ground rules of safety, nonviolence, openness and accepting the consequences of direct action. A legal briefing includes arrest procedures, possible charges, trial, financial and custodial penalties. The differing roles of participants are documented in the handbook with advice and guidance e.g. police and farmer liaison, media liaison, action observing etc. How to find GM crop sites and identify crops are also covered. Inspiring poetry, over eighty illustrations, photographs from three of the four genetiX snowball actions to date make the handbook a ‘pleasure to read’. Melanie Jarman is one of five women who on July 4th 1998 openly and accountably uprooted a crop of genetically modified seed at a Monsanto demonstration site in Oxfordshire [3]. The women were arrested for alleged criminal damage but were later released without charge. They are now being sued for unlimited damages by Monsanto. The five women and genetiX snowball's media liaison Andrew Wood have also been served with injunctions which prevent them from: trespassing on Monsanto GM release sites, uprooting or interfering with Monsanto’s GM crops, or planting anything in the ground at Monsanto release sites. The injunction also prevents the six named persons or any others associated with genetiX snowball from 'encouraging others to do the aforementioned acts'. Alan Simpson was elected as Labour M.P for Nottingham South in 1992. He has written extensively on genetically modified crops, the potential dangers to health and the environment and the threat new ‘seed monopolies’ could have for democracy itself. He is a member of the parliamentary Labour party. Alan Simpson, M.P said “Nonviolent public action has always been an important part of democratic traditions. From food protests in Britain at the turn of the nineteenth century to Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement in India, this has always been an essential part of people leading the way in social responsibility and ethical change. So it is now”. Melanie Jarman of genetiX snowball said "Nonviolent direct action gives us the means to oppose this unsafe, unnecessary gene technology : I hope that this handbook will inspire others to take action" Press liaison: Andrew Wood telephone: 0973 953 446 or page: 097654 247 502. Alan Simpson: 0171 219 4534 Tuesday - Thursday ENDS Editors Notes [1] The Handbook launch on the 10th December celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 19 of the Declaration states: ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. [2] The Handbook for Action costs £3.50 by post and is available to the public from the genetiX snowball office or to press via Media Liaison. [3] See release dated July 4th entitled ‘First arrests in Britain for pulling up Genetically Engineered crops’ available from media liaison. [4] There are currently no commercially grown GM crops in Britain, although soya, maize and oil seed rape or products produced from them are imported. Commercial planting of GM oil seed rape is expected in summer/autumn 1999. GenetiX snowball is calling for a five year moratorium on the planting of GM crops. [5] The handbook and a comprehensive archive of press releases, personal statements, photographs, etc. is available on the genetiX snowball web site. Point your browser to http://www.gn.apc.org/pmhp/gs. This address is for public notification, although the site is still under construction and will be complete for the launch of the handbook. The dissemination of information internationally is seen as its principle benefit. Picture Editors Notes [1] Photographs of genetiX snowball actions are available on ImageNet under the David Hoffman or ISF sections. David Hoffman: 0181 981 5041. ISF: 01628 542 554. The David Hoffman photo library carries copies of photographs from the first genetiX snowball action on 4th July 1998. Video footage of the action, including the women actually digging, on DVC /Beta/ VHS format available from award winning film maker Zoe Broughton on: 0961 181 576 [2] Freelance photographer Rob Todd will be covering the launch, contact: 0467 420 283. Freelance film producer Zoe Broughton will be videoing the launch, contact: 0961 181 576. Available on all formats. As part of the launch of the Handbook there will be photo- opportunity at 11.00 a.m. on College Green, overlooking parliament with Melanie Jarman of genetiX snowball and Alan Simpson M.P. They will be holding an A1 size copy of the front of the Handbook and various gardening tools similar to those used on genetiX snowball actions. The photo-opportunity will be complete by 11.10 a.m. genetiX snowball A campaign of nonviolent civil responsibility One World Centre, 6 Mount Street, Manchester M2 5NS Tel: 0161 834 0295 Fax: 0161 834 8187 Press liaison: Andrew Wood 0973 953 446 or page 07654 247502