By: ELOISE WALTON
A FARMER whose fields were targeted by anti-GM protestors is taking legal action against the environmental group responsible.
Around 100 protesters destroyed part of a 51 hectare GM corn crop on August 17 at Herdade da Lameira in Silves.
Now the farmer, João Menezes, who tried to stop them and eventually called the local GNR, has instructed a lawyer to seek compensation from the activists and ask for legal debates to be held on the issue in the Portuguese parliament.
André Botelheiro, João Menezes’s lawyer, told The Resident: “The legal action will not only cover the material damage to the farm but also the moral damage and distress caused to Mr Menezes.
“Other people who were not present at the farm but organised the criminal activity, whoever they are, will also have legal action brought against them.”
He said João Menezes has also asked to be made an assistant in the case, to enable him to give all legal assistance to the public prosecutor and also have access to all of the documents, including some that are protected by the secret of justice.
“João Menezes will be able to cooperate with the public ministry in the investigation and offer evidence” said André Botelheiro.
The value of the physical damage caused by the protesters has been estimated by the Ministery of Agriculture as being around 3,900 euros, because a tonne of corn is valued at 230 euros and the area destroyed equals around 17 tonnes.
Direct action
A spokesman for the environmental group behind the action, Verde Eufémia, said: “Our decision to apply direct action and civil disobedience strategies can only be understood considering the current situation regarding GMOs in Portugal.
“We are glad to see that our action is provoking a lot of reaction within the political field.”
He said the protestors had no intention of ever harming the farmer and indeed did not. “We renounce any kind of physical aggression, although we understand the farmer’s emotional reaction.”
The group says that they are angry by the unbalanced pro-GM position that the government is taking, despite evidence that GM crops are bad for the environment and human health.
Meanwhile, Portugal’s permanent parliamentary commission has debated the destruction of the crop in Silves with the minister of internal administration, Rui Pereira.
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