The farmer involved did not come to the meeting, did not hear those concerns and did not respond to them. But standing up at a local meeting, in front of friends and neighbours, to criticise a powerful local figure like the local landowner takes a certain courage. A courage that deserves more attention from the media than that provoked by the temporary incarceration of one volunteer, lord or not. Greenpeace has been flooded with calls of support from people thanking them for their actions. The Government and the chemical industry, shaken, have predictably attempted to label us vandals.
Governments hate non-violent direct action because it makes clear when a democracy is failing.
Astonishingly, the peaceful removal of GM crops before they flower is practically the only democratic veto UK citizens currently have to prevent genetic pollution. At no point does the regulatory system for GM crops consult or seek public permission to proceed with these open-air experiments. At no point have the people given their consent. Government has consistently ignored the overwhelming national mood against GM crops. The private interests of a small handful of chemical companies have been raised above the public's right to an uncontaminated environment and access to organic and non-GM food.