Action Briefing Oct 2003- Nov 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

West Midlands News

One Man And His Tractor (and a few other things)

A nightmarish vision of what might be unleashed on the British public if the Government gives genetically modified (GM) crops commercial approval was let loose on the streets of Coventry on 11th October. A bright pink pantomime cow, three mad scientists in white coats brandishing ‘I love GM' slogans, a huge GM bee, a giant maize costume and a group of garish mutant sunflowers greeted bemused Saturday morning shoppers.

The Coventry, Rugby, Nuneaton and Stratford Friends of the Earth groups had planned this event together, spending the best part of the previous weekend creating the props and costumes. A trailer measuring 21ft by 8ft posed numerous challenges: how would the banners and props fill this cavernous space? Would it be possible to manoeuvre it in the tight streets of the city centre? Would it fit under low bridges and overhanging trees? And what would the local constabulary think of this great hulk being towed around the Ring Road at a maximum speed of 10mph? In the end these fears proved unfounded and the event passed off without a hitch. A good part of this was down to the assistance of sympathetic traffic wardens who allowed the two tractors and trailer to park on double-yellow lines for several hours.

We were privileged to host Gerald Miles, a Pembrokeshire organic farmer whose tractor pilgrimage from Wales made our own efforts seem decidedly modest. The support and media interest which had followed him on his four-day journey was indicative of the strong feeling amongst the public, consumers, retailers, farmers and local authorities against the commercialisation of GM crops.

An information stall drummed up support for a well-attended public meeting at which Sue Mayer from Genewatch gave a warmly-received presentation. The tractors and trailer were then given a terrific send off by a local samba band, a group of African drummers and a noisy crowd of pedestrians and cyclists who followed the vehicles for the first few hundred yards of their journey to London. On the trailer the giant GM bee sported a wry, sarcastic grin and a cage enclosed a group of mad scientists and a fat businessman under the slogan ‘keep GM inside’.

The mini convoy next made a symbolic stop at Ryton Organic Gardens where staff presented Gerald with a box of GM-free fruit and veg. Musical accompaniment was provided by the Eco Worriers, a local singer/songwriting duo.

And so the convoy wended its merry way down to London for the Tractors and Trolleys Parade on Monday 13th October. It had been an enjoyable and inspiring day and we attracted much favourable publicity. Bet they never have this much fun in the boardrooms of Monsanto or DEFRA!

Chris Crean