Sinn Féin warning over GM foods policy

The European Commission is intent on allowing genetically-modified foods to be grown in Ireland, it was claimed today.

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brun said the body had moved to ensure all EU member states followed a common policy on GM foods.

She claimed the Commission said that Ireland would not be able to ban GM crops within its borders.

The news comes just two weeks after the European Commission cleared the path for the import of genetically-modified maize into the EU for public consumption.

“The EU Commission is intent on allowing GM foods to be grown in EU member states,” Ms de Brun said.

“The European Commission has already ratified the import of GM foods into the EU for public consumption. The citizens of EU member states are being subjected to a sustained campaign by the European Commission and Monsanto for a move towards the growing of crops in Ireland – north and south.

“The effects of GM foods on the general public are still unclear.”

Ms de Brun said Irish consumers are genuinely concerned about the introduction of GM maize after environmental groups like Friends of the Earth argued its introduction has not been met with stringent long-term testing.

“Sinn Féin is strongly opposed to the introduction of genetically-modified foods and we will continue to actively campaign for Ireland to be declared a GM-free zone at local, national and EU level,” she said.

Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesman Martin Ferris also added his voice to the fight and pointed out that Sinn Féin was the only party campaigning on an All-Ireland basis for GM-free status.

“We intend to pursue this through legislation in the Dáil and our councillors throughout Ireland will be placing motions in support of this to their respective local authorities,” he added.