The trial is taking place in Poitiers where Bové is facing charges with seven other people. The case centres around the destruction of experimental maize crops in Civaux and Valdivienne, western France, in August 2008.

Bové received a boost yesterday in the form of Ségolène Royal, president of the Poitou-Charentes region where the destruction took place. She attended the trial at the request of Bové “as part of the battle the region has waged against GM.”

She claimed “these people saved tens of thousands of jobs” as “there are 57 products that are recognized by certain quality guarantees that would have been destroyed by GM crops.”

Royal, former Presidential candidate in 2007 and a likely candidate for the Socialist primaries to decide the candidate for next year’s election, denied this was just a photo opportunity. “Stop denigrating our actions” she said to the media. “This is not a communication strategy but a principled fight.”

The trial has been adjourned for judgment.