Horizons

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Environmental organisations and organic gardeners throughout Britain are furious at the British government's decision to locate trials for genetically modified maize within two miles of Europe's largest research centre for organic crops. The British environment minister, Michael Meacher, gave the go-ahead for the controversial farm-trials a month ago, but later tried to stop the GM maize from being planted once his department realised it is so close to the Henry Doubleday Research Association at Rydon Organic Gardens, near Coventry.

The Henry Doubleday Research Association was set up in 1954 and has established an international reputation for its organic seed library. About 50,000 packets of seeds are handed out free by the centre each year and many more are distributed to the 28,000 members of the Heritage Seed Library. The Soil Association in Britain told the London Independent of its fears for the future of the organic status of the HDRA if the proposed trials go ahead. "The Soil Association warns that the GM maize being tested . . . could cross-pollinate with three crops of organic sweetcorn grown at Ryton and in turn contaminate the seed bank. Any trace of GM in the association's fields would lead to it losing its licence to grow organic crops and pollution of the seed bank would strike a devastating blow to the world's attempts to save rare varieties of foodstuffs," write Geoffrey Lean and Colin Brown.

Meanwhile, the farmer near Wolston, Warwickshire who is planting GM maize on the site - one of 28 throughout Britain - was told by food firm Aventis to go ahead with planting as planned. The Henry Doubleday Research Association is collecting an on-line petition against the planting of GM maize on their website: www.hdra.org.uk

IRISH citizens have the second lowest level of concern in the EU about the disappearance of plants, animal species and habitats, according to an EU survey on environmental problems including biodiversity. 2001/2002 is International Biodiversity Observance Year and May 22nd has been designated United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity. "The Convention on Biological Div ersity provides a vitally important framework for the protection of our global diversity," says Lorraine Dufficey, campaign manager for the Irish Wildlife Trust. "What we need now is commitment from our political leaders to ensure a halt to any further loss of habitats and wildlife. Our future depends on it." Biological diversity is the inclusive term for all our biological wealth - flora, fauna, habitats and all living processes.

AS PART of the countrywide easing of foot-and-mouth disease restrictions, Coillte has re-opened all its forests and forest parks. These include Ards Forest Park, Co Donegal, Avondale House and Forest Park, Co Wicklow, Rossmore Forest Park, Co Cavan, Lough Key Forest Park, Co Roscommon, Donadea Forest Park, Co Kildare, Gougane Barra Forest Park, Co Cork and Curraghchase Forest Park, Co Limerick. Coillte owns 1.1 million acres (445,000 hectares) of forests throughout the country.

Amateur photographers in the South Dublin county area have one week left to submit their entries for this year's Oidhreacht, the heritage annual photographic competition and exhibition.

Apart from its aim to promote an awareness of the heritage of the area, a secondary ambition of Oidhreacht (now in its second year) is to build up a photographic collection of the heritage of the area. Entrants can take a broad interpretation of heritage in their submissions. Examples given by the organisers include castles, mountains, urban streetscapes, schools, libraries, roads (even the M50, we're told), canals, railways, customs, festivals etc. There are under-18 and over-18 entry categories and photographs can be submitted as black/white, colour, slide or digital images. There is a maximum of three entries per person and the closing date is May 26th.

Entry forms are available from South Dublin branch-libraries - Ballyroan, Castletymon, Clondalkin, Lucan and Tallaght County libraries. The prizes are a perpetual trophy, and vouchers for £100, £75 and £50. The winning and commended entries will be exhibited in the various libraries and other community venues.

WEB WORLD

THIS is the website of the National Wildlife Federation in the US. It's quite simply a wonderful site. Check out the Conservation Hall of Fame, the news updates on environmental stories and the excellent Ranger Rick kids zone.

horizons@irish-times.ie