GM crop trials ban ‘almost like burning books’

AGRICULTURE Minister Brendan Smith’s statement a few weeks ago that the Government is “discouraging cultivation of GM crops” indicates that Ireland’s hopes for a knowledge-based economy are dead and gone.

Such a shortsighted, scientifically unsupported policy, developed without consultation, excludes the basic research and development tool of GM crop field trials.

Scientific GM research trials in the EU now number more than 2,400 and have reported no negative impact on health or the environment.