GMO Grapevines in Colmar: the judicial system recognises
the right to research The individual who, acting alone, destroyed a GMO trial belonging to INRA, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, in September 2009, has been even more heavily condemned by the Court of Appeal in Colmar (Alsace): a one month suspended sentence, 50,000 euros in damages, and a confirmed fine of 2000 euros. This penal decision comes over and above the fact that the legality of this test has been reconfirmed by the administrative justice system.
Already obliged to pay a 2000 euro fine in November 2009, the person responsible declares that he destroyed the research site of the Institute because no public debate was possible on these GMO grapevines, contesting the interest, the methods and the scientific range of this experiment, the objective of which was to find new means to fight against the fanleaf virus, a major disease for grapevines. The fanleaf virus is a viral disease of grapevines that causes a drop in production (up to 80%). It affects approximately 60% of grapevines in France with damage evaluated at between 350 and 850 million euros per year. This test area in Alsace was built in cooperation with a local monitoring committee (CLS), made up of local politicians and representatives of winegrowers, unions and associations. Primarily composed of people who objected to GMO in principle, and wanted to find answers to the reality of the risks and benefits linked to the use of this type of technology, the monitoring committee took a demanding stance on the methods of the experiment, guaranteeing its non-commercial nature. The court reminded those concerned of the general interest of the experiment: • which has as its objective the preservation of a natural resource and the improvement of the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, representing a certain public interest;
• which does not represent a risk for the environment.
INRA is waiting for the next appearance in the Colmar Magistrates’ Court of the sixty volunteer reapers who definitively destroyed the experiment in August 2010.
Echome, a company offering sustainable energy solutions, was delighted to win the contract to work with a West London primary school, The school was looking at options to implement alternative energy solutions on its premises having been awarded a grant from the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP).
The grant is to incentivise them to invest in alternative energy. Echome have been engaged both to advise on the best solutions and quote on the installation. After reviewing the requirements and completing initial site surveys it was decided that a Photovoltaic (PV) solar system would be the most suitable solution. Using the Feed in Tariff to sell energy to the electricity provider the installation can generate up to 10% return on investment.
This system also has educational benefits as a monitor and will be installed to teach the children about energy consumption and production. Echome provides renewable energy solutions from initial consultancy and design through to installation and commissioning. The company looks forward to starting installation in the summer and hopes that this will be an example to other schools and a catalyst for new business.
NIA Chairman receives MBE
Tony Hardiman has been recognised in the 2011 New Year’s Honours List where he was awarded an MBE as Chairman of the National Insulation Association for services to the Energy Industry. This honour follows on from the NIA’s own appreciation for Tony’s support and dedication when he was presented with an award for ‘services to the industry’ at the NIA Annual Conference in December in recognition of the huge contribution he has made to the insulation industry for over 30 years. Neil Mar- shall, NIA Chief Executive, comments: “This is a tremendous achievement for Tony and well deserved, reflecting the time, effort and com- mitment that he has made for many years.”
|4| ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE
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