GENETICALLY modified crops will be planted in East Yorkshire as part of the Government's next round of trials.
The oil seed rape will be sown atHowden and Nafferton from the end of next month.
GM fodder beet has already been planted in a field at Beadlam, near Helmsley.
The planting programme has caused protests from environmentalists concerned that GM crops will cross-pollinate with other plants.
Scientists will study the crops and their effects on the neighbouring countryside, and will carry out work including counting the numbers of weeds, bees, butterflies and beetles in trial fields.
A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "The independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has assessed that the crops are safe for human or animal health and for the environment."
Updated: 08:49 Thursday, July 26, 2001
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