Britain's leading organic centre at Ryton is under threat after trials of genetically modified maize have been announced just 3 miles away.

Seed giant Aventis have been granted permission to plant GM maize at a farm in Wolston under the Government's Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) programme.

Alan Gear, Ryton's Chief Executive, has accused the Government and Aventis of taking a "cavalier approach" to the trials.

Ryton Gardens as well as being a showcase for organic growing, produces produce for sale in its shop and restaurant. It also conducts organic trials for the Ministry of Agriculture.

Under the rules of the Soil Association any GM trials within 6 miles can put the status of an organic producer at risk.

Aventis although aware of the proximity of Ryton Gardens claim there is "no risk at all" from cross pollination between the GM crops and the organic crops.

Ryton Gardens are particularly concerned because they grow organic sweetcorn that could potentially cross pollinate with the GM maize, and they also have five colonies of bees that will forage over a range of several miles.

The trial planting of the GM maize is to take place at a farm on the Fosse Way at grid reference SP 427 759. Depending on weather and soil conditions, the maize will be sown from the end of April through May.

The Government press release announcing these latest trials says:

"The FSEs are not about the safety of GM technology. They are designed to provide answers to questions about whether planting herbicide-tolerant GM crops and using weedkillers associated with them might affect the abundance and diversity of our wildlife."

Aventis did not consult with Ryton Gardens before making its application for the Wolston site.

The DETR have also announced that another site in Warwickshire will be used for trials of genetically modified oilseed rape. That will be at Atherstone on Stour (grid ref SP 230 519).