On a trial of genetically modified seeds, the Secretary of State was not irrational to rely on a report, saying that the risk of cross pollination with a neighbour’s organic produce was small. However the failure to carry out replicated trials, made it not a proper or effective scientific test. The trial was subject to two regulatory regimes, it failed on one, but the only power to order the destruction of a crop was for safety reasons, and no risk had been demonstrated.
Citations:
Gazette 29-Jul-1998, Times 31-Aug-1998, [1998] EWHC Admin 737, [1998] EWCA Civ 1250
Links:
Statutes:
Environmental Protection Act 1990, Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (1982 No 844)
Agriculture
Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.138858
