ORGANIC farmers opposed to plans to trial genetically modified crops have called a meeting to discuss the issue.

Farmer Reg Watkins, of Stonehouse Farm, Kempley, wants to grow genetically modified oil-seed rape this spring as part of a government trail.

The meeting, at Upton Bishop Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday, May 26, will feature experts from the Soil Association and the independent body organising the trails.

Emma Lamb, of the Castle Farm organic farm at Upton Bishop, said: "The aim of the meeting is to inform local people of the issues. This trial could seriously affect our business to extent that it would no longer being viable. Bees know no bounds and pollen can be carried over a very wide area."

Mrs Lamb said that Castle Farm was only three miles from the proposed GM trail site and could lose its organic status with the Soil Association because of the risk of GM contamination.

Ledbury councillors were publicly invited to the conference at the annual town meeting on April 27 by local organic farmer, John Davenport.

Ledbury's new mayor, Clive Jupp, said he would be attending the meeting.

"The prospect of GM crops in the district is of concern to electors because it could affect their businesses," he said.

Gordon Gilbert, NFU chairman for Herefordshire, said GM crops needed to be "properly tested without interference".

But he said of the Stonehouse Farm trail: "I think it's an ill-conceived site regarding a GM crop, given its proximity to the population and numbers of organic farmers."

Mr Watkins, of Stonehouse Farm, said: "After the false information that has been spread around while I've been trying to put an argument forward, while being screamed down by idiots, I'm afraid I have no comment."