GM trial ‘not at odds’ with organic promotion

Trials of genetically modified potatoes are not at odds with promoting and researching organic systems in Ireland, organic producers have been told.

“Knowledge is the only armour we have against a world of uncertainty,” Teagasc director Gerry Boyle told 150 organic farmers and growers at the National Organic Conference in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

He said he had had a “lively correspondence” from organic farmers since the Environmental Protection Agency granted conditional permission to Teagasc to trial GM potato plants for blight resistance.

He said Teagasc valued its independence and was not beholden to any commercial interest in undertaking the trials at Oak Park, Co Carlow, where the 25 plants are being grown.

“Good research cannot be about pre-determining outcomes,” said Prof Boyle, insisting that the farming research body must engage in diverse research of potential options available to farmers.

However, growers were not convinced, with one West Limerick beef farmer, Con Cremin, declaring himself to be a proud Irishman who wanted nothing to do with GM crops.

Mr Cremin accused Teagasc of riding two horses at the same time by running an organic conference and GM trials side by side.

“There’s no common sense in bringing GM food into Ireland,” he said. “We have a fantastic food image across the world.”

Gillian Westbrook of the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association said having a GM crop trial was at odds with efforts to promote Ireland’s green image.

Denis Cogavin, a beef producer from Ballinasloe, said about 90% of his fellow organic farmers were against the GM trials.

“It’s a total contradiction to have Teagasc doing a GM analysis programme at one end of the table and at the other end trying to support organic,” he said.

Mr Boyle said Ireland needed “genuine open debate” about the costs and benefits of GM systems.

He said there was no contradiction between Teagasc’s GM research and its research and advocacy role relating to organic production.

“There is a lot of emotion around this issue and our job as a scientific and research-based organisation is to bring scientific knowledge to bear on the claims that are made from all sides.

“We are not advocates. It’s up to consumers and producers to decide on the basis of the evidence what products they want.”

He issued an open invitation to the more than 150 conference-goers to question Teagasc scientists at Oak Park.

Junior agriculture minister Shane McEntee, who has responsibility for the sector, said he was committed to organic farmers but they must work together.

Many went into the sector because it was “grand and trendy”, said Mr McEntee.

“A lot of them didn’t know what they were doing, and that’s why they’ve gone out of business.”

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Holding his ground