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.

DANISH Agriculture Minister Mariann Fischer Boel emerged as favourite for the job of EU Agriculture Commissioner when the line-up of 25 candidates was finalised last week.

WITH their memories of the Galway racing festival fading, Irish politicians are now studying the form for the European Commission festival.

AGRICULTURE Minister Joe Walsh took a lead role in last Monday’s EU Farm Council at the head of the self-styled Friends of Farming anti-CAP reform grouping.