Teagasc role is about science not politics, conference told

IT IS not Teagasc’s role to get involved in the politics of biotechnology, but it is its job to examine the science involved, a leading conference was told at University College, Cork yesterday.

Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle said it is the authority’s job to research the technology, to evaluate its use in other countries, to determine the benefits and faults of adopting GM technology.

He said it is Teagasc’s job to use forums like the four-day Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference at UCC, to stimulate debate.

He said the emergence of biotechnology, however, has raised many questions of enormous public interest. These include the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production and the effects of GMOs on the environment. But their record to date internationally has been very good.

Currently, the debate in Europe around the risks and benefits of biotechnology is quite polarised.

“In the absence of independent and credible information on biotechnology, the public is not given the opportunity to gain an understanding of, and make informed decisions on, the use of biotechnology in the agricultural and other sectors,” he said.

Professor Boyle said Teagasc’s role is to provide science-based innovation support, requiring partnership, leadership and accountability. It is adapting and ready for change.

A number of critical steps have already been taken, including the establishment of bioscience research centres to ensure that science technology and innovation are at the heart of the development of the agri-food sector.

“We are entering an exciting new era in farming and food production and Teagasc estimates a doubling in the value of the sector to €40bn by 2030.”

Minister of State Billy Kelleher, who officially opened the conference, welcomed the discussions on ag-biotech.