ENVIRONMENTAL activists today claimed they had caused "very significant damage" in an attack on a genetically-modified crop under trial in North Yorkshire.

An unnamed spokesman for the activists said they had successfully targeted GM oilseed rape being grown at Hedley Hall, near Tadcaster.

The anonymous activist, making his claim in a call to the Evening Press, said the group on whose behalf he was speaking had no name.

But he released a statement on its behalf which claimed it had carried out the attack "in defence of human freedom and the environment".

"The use of genetic engineering in farming poses... unacceptable hazards for our food supply, for ecological diversity and for rural livelihoods and it would place us all under the power of unscrupulous trans-national corporations," said the statement.

"There is no need for this dangerous technology and the people reject it."

The attack was the third such incident in a matter of months of GM crops being damaged at the farm, which is owned by the University of Leeds.

The site is taking part in a Government trial looking at the effects of genetically modifying crops.

A spokesman at Hedley Hall confirmed that an attack had taken place at the GM trial area. He said the police had been informed.

The farm is taking part in the trial to ascertain whether or not GM foods are safe. But the fields containing the crops have become a magnet for protesters.

Updated: 11:22 Wednesday, April 02, 2003