EPA Decision to Grant Licence to Teagasc to Trial GM Potatoes in Ireland Carries Grave Ramifications

News | 26 Jul 2012

Organic Trust Limited are deeply disappointed by the EPA's decision to grant Teagasc a licence to trial GM potatoes in Oakpark, Co. Carlow.

This approval carries grave ramifications for Irish food and farming.  Irish food exports trade on our reputation as a clean, green food island; an image not easily squared with the cultivation of GM crops. 

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.

Organic Trust Limited calls on Teagasc not to act on the approval granted but to adhere to the wishes of the vast majority of Irish citizens not to pollute our precious land. 

Not one single solitary benefit will accrue to Ireland as a result of this trial - so why it is going ahead?

Gavin Lynch
PR & Development Officer
Organic Trust Limited
Vernon House
2 Vernon Avenue
Clontarf
Dublin 3
087 9901104

 

 

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