Ledbury organic farmers say plans to trial genetically modified crops at Kempley could cost their businesses thousands of pounds.

About 250 people packed into Upton Bishop Millennium Hall on Friday (May 26) to discuss the pros and cons of the trials of a GM crop of oil seed rape at Stonehouse Farm.

Speakers at the meeting included experts from the Soil Association, a biologist and geneticist and one of the scientists in charge of assessing the impact of the GM trials.

Following a debate involving local farmers, beekeepers and members of Ledbury Town Council, a vote showed the majority of people want to see the trials halted.

They also want to be consulted before any GM crops are grown and need to be provided with protection from GM pollution.

Emma Lambe, who runs a 200-acre farm with her husband James at Upton Bishop, just three miles from the trials, was at the meeting.

She said the trials could affect them very severely.

"Our farm is half organic and half conventional and it is very, very concerning from an organic point of view because due to the GM pollution of crops and weed varieties it could potentially lose us our organic licence," she said.

"It's hard to quantify how much it could cost us if we lost our licence but it would be in the thousands.

"It's staggering to believe that the Government could back an experiment that could potentially damage so many businesses and the environment."

Ledbury's Mayor Clive Jupp said the meeting raised a number of issues which need to be addressed by the council.

"I'm going to propose that we write to various people such as the Secretary of State for Agriculture, and ask them to reconsider," he said.

"I'm not saying Ledbury Town Council can make a huge difference, but if everybody joins in together we can make a difference."

Gordon Gilbert, NFU chairman for Herefordshire, said there was a lot of hype surrounding this issue.

"Feelings are high, certainly," he said.

But he added that a decision to terminate the trial can only come from the Government.

"I've every sympathy with these farmers. There was no proper consultation done before the site was chosen and I think the Government should put their hands in their pockets and offer compensation," he said.

Farmer Reg Watkins, from Stonehouse Farm, confirmed the GM crop had been sown but preferred not to make a comment.