Too late for Irish GM ban

IRELAND cannot ban GM crops, and the key issue now for the government is to lay down rules for co-existence of conventional and GM crops, said Macra na Feirme national president Thomas Honner, after a meeting with European commission official Gijs Berends, who deals with GM foods in Commissioner David Byrne’s cabinet.

Mr Honner said that it was made clear to Macra that no individual member state can ban the growing of GM crops within its boundaries. As certain GM crops were now approved for use, they could be grown in any member state.

He said that Mr Berends was clear that member states could not decide to prohibit the growing of commission-approved products. “The only set of circumstances in which the Irish government could block the growing of GM products was if Ireland uncovered new scientific evidence questioning the products’ safety and even this would be temporary until the commission examined any such evidence,” said Mr Honner.

Earlier, new MEP Kathy Sinnott MEP had joined with organisations such as the Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association in calling for a GM free policy in Ireland.

“Considering that we are not sure that GM is a controllable technology, considering runaway genes and gene contamination, I would suggest that as a minimum, the island nations like Ireland which have the most protection from contamination should be given incentives or encouragement to remain GM free until sufficient time transpires to sufficiently understand any GMO we are introducing,” said the MEP, during questioning of current Agriculture Council President, Cees Veerman.