Farmers angry as GM potato plan gets go-ahead

A GERMAN company was yesterday granted permission to plant a field with genetically-modified potatoes in County Meath.

BASF Plant Science will carry out trials on the one-acre site in Arodstown, Summerhill, over the next five years to determine if the GM potatoes have increased resistance to blight.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said the trials would be subject to strict conditions, with regular monitoring by inspectors.

“The trials can be modified, suspended or terminated by the EPA at any time if new information comes to light,” said a spokeswoman.

BASF Plant Science applied for the licence to carry out the trials in January and the EPA had until mid-April to make its decision.

The agency extended the deadline five times as it sought further clarification about the trials.

The EPA spokeswoman said the consent was for field trials only and should not be confused with the placing of GM products on the market, which required a separate consent and approval at EU level.

“Potatoes (GM or non-GM) harvested from the field trials will not be used for food or feed purposes,” she said.

Many environmental activists oppose GM food trials because they fear that it might lead to cross-contamination of other crops.

The EPA said BASF Plant Science must carry out follow-up studies to determine potential pollen flow to adjacent crops, the potential for GM tubers to persist both inside and outside the field trial area and plant biodiversity that might be affected by the trial.

The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) expressed fury with the EPA over its decision.

“It’s a scandal,” said ICSA rural development chairman John Flynn. “This decision is wrong on so many levels. Science has not yet determined the effects GM crops could have on consumer health. All surrounding farms are now extremely vulnerable to contamination and most importantly, the EPA has just compromised Ireland’s clean green image. This is possibly the worst decision that this agency has ever made, and all farmers and consumers will pay the price.”