Time to clear GM-free air

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley’s statement that Ireland’s position on Genetically Modified Organisms is now in line with the new programme for Government, which seeks a GM-free Ireland, sets the stage for the air to be cleared on this subject once and for all.

It should be high on the agenda for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan’s national dairy industry forum, when she meets farmers and processors on July 26 to assist in determining policy priorities.

One of the things the industry will need to know is how the Government will aid the switch-over to farming without genetically modified animal feeds, and to the new marketing challenge it poses.