SAFE food campaigners have condemned the sowing of a second crop of genetically modified maize near Nantwich during the foot and mouth crisis.

Sound farmer, Richard Ratcliffe, has been dubbed "pig-headed" for going ahead with the experiment which Friends of the Earth claim will increase the risks of spreading the disease.

The second phase of the controversial three-year tests at Hill Farm are due to get underway this week.

The green activists say that the scientists and others involved will pose a threat by moving between test sites across the UK.

"It is staggering that Mr Ratcliffe and his friends from the massive GM industry are putting profits before everything.

"Not content with pressing on with tests in the open air, which could result in genetic contamination of neighbouring farms, now they are prepared to play Russian roulette with foot and mouth," said spokesman, Jeremy Herbert.

"The multinational agro-chemical industry wants a stranglehold over food production. It is our small local farmers who will pay the price yet again.

"Organic production, which is helping them fight back, could be wiped out by genetic pollution from these crops. Mr Ratcliffe is playing right into the hands of big business," he added.

Local campaigners are planning to hold a public meeting in Nantwich next month and will be inviting representatives from the GM industry and Mr Ratcliffe to answer questions.

But the farmer in the firing line insists there is no foot and mouth peril because the people sowing the crops would have direct access to the field from the road and were "extremely thorough".

His decision to take part in a three year experiment sparked an outcry at the outset with the government and the GM industry being accused of secrecy and back-door tactics.

But Mr Ratcliffe, who has been fearful that his own herd of 200 cattle might be affected by nearby outbreaks of foot and mouth, has defiantly defended his decision to allow tests on his land.

"I believe it is important that the tests are carried out. If and when the modified crops become freely available for growth and sale, I will be in a better position than most to opt either for them or against them," he said.

"The experiments involve listing and testing every aspect of wild life including monitoring the effects on birds, animals, insects and plants," he added.

He revealed that the maize grown during last year's first stage of the experiment had been turned into silage and dispersed on his land.

BY BERYL PATEMAN