ICSA pursue GM-free island policy
ICSA president Malcolm Thompson said the single most important challenge for Irish agriculture is to build on the momentum of increased demand for Irish beef and lamb by strengthening our image as Ireland, the food island.
“We need to capitalise on a green image, and tap into the demand for natural products,” he said.
ICSA rural development chairman John Heney said, if Ireland wants to be a leading supplier of beef and lamb to the highest value EU markets, then it is vital to listen and respond to European consumer concerns. “Surveys clearly show that the majority of EU consumers are strongly opposed to any use of genetically modified organisms, whether as part of food for humans or as part of the diet of animals destined for meat production. This is a vital message which cannot be ignored,” he said.
Mr Heney said Ireland, as an island cut off from mainland Europe, has a unique opportunity to put forward a GM free policy which will be highly credible. “Because of our island status, we can realistically claim to be GM free, without risk of contamination from other EU countries that may take a different approach to GM. This will give us a marketing edge.”
Mr Heney said the ICSA was not making any explicit judgment on the science of GM produce, but rather making the marketing of Irish beef and lamb the key objective of Irish agricultural policy.
