An agricultural chemicals company went to the High Court yesterday to prevent the release of information about a pesticide that could be used in conjunction with genetically modified crops.
In a case which is being watched closely by the biotech industry, Aventis Cropscience claimed that the government went too far when it agreed to release information about the "glufosinate ammonium" weedkiller to Friends of the Earth, the environmental organisation, under environmental information regulations last year.
The court was told yesterday that the government's Pesticides Safety Directorate had agreed to "redact" - or withhold - information about the pesticide's formulation, method of manufacture and details of the active ingredient.
But it was proposing to release information on the herbicide's efficacy, crop safety, chemistry, eco-toxicology, and environmental impact.
That, said David Pannick, appearing for Aventis, which is being bought by Germany's Bayer, was an error in law. Aventis, he argued, believed that its entire data package should be treated as confidential. Much of the information was supplied to the government as part of an application by Aventis for the chemical to be sprayed on winter trials of a genetically modified crop.
Even if the information was not deemed confidential, Mr Pannick added, the government would still be wrong in offering unrestricted access to the data.
Aventis is making an application for a judicial review and is being backed by the pesticides industry association.
Friends of the Earth maintains that the case is an important test of regulations that are designed to provide access to information.
"People have a right to know about the possible effects of chemicals being sprayed on their food and used in their homes," said Phil Michaels, the organisation's legal adviser.
The case continues and is expected to last three days.
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