ORGANIC food producers in Yorkshire feel despair at the Government's decision to allow the growing of genetically modified maize.

This was the view taken at the annual meeting at Thirsk of Yorkshire Organics, a group of 44 organic farmers and supporters, formed in November 2002.

Members felt the Government was sending out a confused message, on the one hand appearing to support organic agriculture and on the other allowing GM production.

David Hollingworth, chairman and livestock farmer, of Chop Gate, near Stokesley, said: "While there is a rising enthusiasm for organically grown food, the public has shown clearly that they do not want to buy the products of GM agriculture.

"Which is more important - the right to buy British organically-grown food or the right of a few farmers to grow maize for no clear benefits. The economic risks to UK agriculture, including conventional growers, could be high."

The group wanted to know what were the "adequate controls" that Margaret Beckett, Environment Secretary, prom-ised; who would be liable if things went wrong; where GM crops may be planted; what distances would be enforced between them and conventional crops; and whether areas not wanting GM crops would be able to opt out.

Mr Hollingworth said: "Members feel that the approval for maize is the thin end of the wedge."

Reviewing the year, Mr Hollingworth reported that the group had attended three agricultural shows with great success, the public showing keen interest.

The group, which produces a monthly newsletter and holds monthly events, has about 40 producer members.

Secretary Jenny Summerson said that to encourage further interest from consumers, two levels of subscription would be introduced, £40 for producers and £20 for non-producers.

Membership enquiries, from farmers or consumers, can be made to Jenny Summerson, 01947 840075, or David Hollingworth on 01642 778284.

MP to meet the

farmers

VALE of York MP Anne McIntosh holds the latest of her series of meetings with local farmers at The Lodge at Leeming Bar next Friday, (4pm-6pm).

The agenda includes reforms to CAP, regional development proposals, changes in the sugar beet regime, single interest payments and proposed no crop spray zones.

Speakers will be Jim Johnston, managing director of Grampian Country Chickens, and Andrew Osbourne, regional director of the Environment Agency.

Memories, and

possers, under

the hammer

A BUSY auction mart resembled an Aladdin's Cave on Saturday. Skipton Mart has introduced seasonal Saturday sales of assorted machinery and implements alongside rural sundries, bygones and collectibles.

Saturday was the opening sale and saw everything from tyres to tipping trailers, horse and pony trailers to slurry tankers, gateposts to electric generators, plastic pipes to wood pallets, timber and metal gates to wall-top wire, grindstones to gridle pans, all go under the hammer.

Dolly tubs, copper possers, earthenware baking bowls and old milk kits were also in evidence, along with a vintage horse-drawn hay cart.

In addition, a large quantity of building, plumbing and joinery supplies, including baths, sink units, windows, doors, extraction fans, cookers, storage systems, shelving, nuts and bolts, were sold.

The next sale is on April 24.