Teagasc defends proposal to plant GM potatoes in outdoors trial

National agri-food research body Teagasc says its proposal to plant blight-resistant GM potatoes outdoors in Ireland is a necessary part of a trial to gauge their ecological impacts on bacterial, fungal, nematode and earthworm diversity in the soil.

The Environmental Protection Agency has received 81 submissions from the public in relation to Teagasc’s application to conduct the trials over the next four years at Oak Park, Carlow.

Teagasc has been conducting indoor GM potato trials for the past decade, but has ceased all field GM-related crop trials since the late 1990s for various reasons.

Previous GM-focused trials on sugar beet came in for heavy scrutiny and criticism from anti-GM groups and some members of the public. Outdoor trials on sugar beet in Co Wexford came to an abrupt end when protesters destroyed the plants.

The EPA will now evaluate the risks posed by the latest proposed potato trials. It has until the end of May to decide either to grant its permission or to refuse Teagasc’s application.

Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle said that as the head of a knowledge-based organisation, it is his duty to ascertain the facts about technologies used across the world, without fear or favour. If the EPA grants approval, the trial’s findings will be presented for expert and public scrutiny.

Prof Boyle said: “It is a fact of life in the crop sector that there is increasing resistance to conventional fungicides. This is an ongoing problem not only for potatoes but for all crops and, given Ireland’s climate, it is something we must be alert to. We see it as our responsibility to supply knowledge without prejudice as to its potential use.”

However, the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association has called the proposed trial a waste of taxpayers’ money on “unwanted technology”.

It also argues there are already blight-resistant potatoes on the market which do not contain GM genes. IOFGA development officer Grace Maher said: “In this austere economic climate we need to end wasteful public spending immediately and enforce accountability on those who continue to do so.

“It is economic suicide to be considering growing GM crops in Ireland, especially as Irish agriculture is among the few sectors in growth.

“This move threatens the export market, worth €9.1bn in 2011. Ireland has an excellent reputation internationally as a clean, green GM-free island, and we need to build on this reputation not destroy it.”

She also cited surveys of European consumers which found people do not want to buy GM food.

However, the Agricultural Science Association has said it fully supports the Teagasc application for a licence to research possible defences against the potentially devastating impact of late blight.

ASA president Dr Karina Pierce said it is the unanimous view of the ASA’s council that impartial research should be conducted on the impact of GM crops on the environment. “To build Ireland’s scientific capability, it is important that scientists in Teagasc and other Irish research institutes collaborate to the widest extent with their international peers. Operating an insular research strategy is not an option for an industry that relies on global markets for the bulk of its output.”