Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales leader in the European Parliament, has had a meeting with members of Friends of the Earth Flintshire about GM crop trials.

Ms Evans, who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament, said that she shared the dismay of the local group that the Sealand GM seed trials were going ahead, despite overwhelming opposition.

Jill Evans said:

"This was a very useful and practical meeting, during which we were able to exchange views and information, and I was able to brief Flintshire Friends of the Earth about developments on a European level and on my work with groups opposed to the Pembrokeshire GM trials, which were abandoned. We plan to work closely together on the question of this last remaining GM trial in Wales.

"I have a meeting with the European Commissioner shortly, when I will be challenging the legality of the consent given for this Aventis GM seed.

"A strong alliance is developing in Wales of groups committed to a GM-free Wales, in accordance with the clearly expressed democratic wishes of the people of Wales."

Jill Evans is a member of the Environment and Public Health Committee of the European Parliament.

DIWEDD/END.