Digging a hole with GM potato trials
TEAGASC, the government body tasked with bringing forward innovation in the agri-food sector, says the reason for carrying out outdoor trials on genetically modified potatoes is to gauge the impact of the controversial project on the environment.
They also emphasised that the trials are not linked to the biotech industry and are not to test the commercial viability of GM potatoes.
The trial is due to be carried out on two acres at the Oak Park facility in Co Carlow, with reporting every two months by Teagasc to the Environmental Protection Agency during the growing season and at the end of year. The trial is due to run until 2016, and will be monitored until 2020.
This trial is part of the 22-partner AMIGA consortium, which represents 15 EU countries and is funded through the EU’s Framework 7 research programme.
Eight conditions were attached by the EPA to the trial. These related to the scope, duration, location, area, management, reporting methods, and sampling of the trial.
According to Teagasc, annual losses due to this late potato blight have been estimated at €15m per year and the management of this potato disease requires as many as 15 fungicide applications throughout the growing season in order to control related crop losses. Globally, blight losses have been estimated to cost almost €4.5bn a year. The EPA received 83 representations from interested parties and these were fully assessed as part of the licensing process.
Reaction from environmental groups and organic farming organisations has been overwhelmingly negative, with many focusing on how this move by Teagasc will effect Ireland’s clean, green image.
“There is no demand for GM foods from consumers. By taking this irresponsible step, Teagasc have effectively ended our status as a GM-free island,” said Gillian Westbrook, general manager with the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
Ms Westbrook also pointed to the fact “there are a variety of blight- resistant potatoes available on the market for potato growers. This is where Teagasc should concentrate its resources, not on GM potatoes that people do not want to eat.”
Organic certification body Organic Trust said: “The most recent Eurobarometer study [2010] shows that GM food has less than 25% acceptance among European citizens, while over 70% believe GM to be inherently unnatural.
“There is no grey area between being a GM-free country and not. Ireland cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hound when it comes to our reputation as a food exporter. Either we value and protect our reputation as a clean, green food island and continue to exploit high-value export markets, or we can court the pet projects of industrial agriculture and exit the food business in favour of the low-value commodity business.
“It appears that both Teagasc and the EPA have chosen the latter.”
Most likely, due to years of sustained pressure from campaigners, this trial is different to those attempted in previous years. It is not run by a global corporation, and does not involve the more controversial crossing of species barriers, as some GM trials do.
Controversy remains, however, over separation distances and cross- pollination. Anti-GM campaigners remain suspicious of GM potatoes since the sacking of Dr Arpad Pusztai from his position at the Rowett Institute Aberdeen in 1999. His research pointed to health risks from GM potatoes.
Globally, a small number of countries have adopted GM crops, mostly in the Americas, China, and India. In Europe, few have. About 110,000 hectares of GM crops are grown in Europe annually, mostly in Spain. Only potato and a maize variety have been approved to be grown by the EU. Europe is, it seems, especially wary of GM
Agri-food giant Monsanto has not planted its GM maize crop in France, while Germany’s BASF have recently relocated its plant science division to the US.
“There is still a lack of acceptance for this technology in many parts of Europe — [by] the majority of consumers, farmers and politicians. Therefore, it does not make business sense to continue investing in products exclusively for cultivation in this market,” Stefan Marcinowski, head of plant biotechnology with BASF said earlier this year.
In 1998, a GM crop trial in Wexford run by Monsanto was sabotaged by environmental campaigners. A 2006 BASF attempt to trial GM potatoes was also halted after a prolonged campaign. What will happen in Ireland remains to be seen. A three-month period during which a judicial review can be sought has just commenced.
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