GM-free island could cost €40m a year
But the net economic cost could be as low as €7 million, if Ireland adopted a voluntary ban on the import and cultivation of GM crops.
Dr Fiona Thorne, Teagasc Rural Economy Centre, recently presented the findings from research which examined the economic implications for Ireland of voluntarily becoming a GM-free island.
Dr Thorne said: “From this research, it is clear that the likely costs to the livestock industry in particular are significant, when a total ban on the import and cultivation of GM crops is considered. While the net benefit, for crop, livestock and dairy farms, resulting from the growing of GM cereal crops is not as significant as the benefits arising from the use of imported sources of GM soyabean and maize, it is important not to consider these two scenarios in isolation from each other.”
Presently, no GM crops are cultivated in Ireland. However, it is anticipated that the introduction of co-existence guidelines could encourage the uptake of certain GM varieties.
