Gritting lorries and snow ploughs cocooned on roads. MPs claim the House was misled about the extent of trials. Monsanto spokesman says the government approved the cloud seeding. March National Farmers' Union condemns government for giving no advance notice of participation of hay balers in GM snowflake trials. Snow blanket finally baled and dumped.
Farmers demand compensation for use of balers and storage of bales on arable land.
Computer viruses blamed as hundreds of home PCs crash. Government announces that second GM snowflake trial will begin in April, with 15-mile cordon sanitaire around each GM seeded cloud. April UK paralysed as snow again falls countrywide. Monsanto starts legal proceedings against Meteorological Office. Farmers refuse to allow use of balers until compensation terms are agreed.