Aventis CropScience has been accused of a "serious breach" of GM crop trial rules after inspectors discovered unauthorised rapeseed pilots in Scotland.

Farming minister, Eliot Morley has warned that the biotech company faces legal action over the seeds - which pose no health threat - after the Scottish executive and DEFRA found unauthorised GM material at 12 sites.

Environmentalists and organic campaigners are set to push for a rethink on the trials following the case.

The Guardian raises the spectre of unauthorised gene transfer from plants to humans - a theme highlighted in a controversial TV series co-authored by the newspaper's editor.