GREEN IRELAND. BRANDING FOR FARMING, FOOD AND ECO-TOURISM.

Forging a GM policy for Ireland. KATE CARMODY. IRISH ORGANIC FARMERS AND GROWERS ASSOCIATION.

I’ll aim to cover  The current policy vacuum on GM crops  The work and views of IOFGA  The key issues to consider  The advantages to be gained by keeping Ireland GM-free.

Policy vacuum  No major political party has a policy – things happening by default  No evidence of consumer demand  No strong evidence of lack of impact on the environment  No thought about the future direction for Irish agriculture  Need to respond to challenges of globalisation – high value added products  Need to focus on sustainability in agriculture  How does GM fit with this?

IOFGA  We are Ireland’s largest organic certification body.  We operate an inspection and certification scheme, approved by DAF and UKROFS.  1992 EU regulation 2092/91-crops.  2000 EU regulation 1804/99 – livestock.

OUR POSITION ON GM CROPS.  They are prohibited, as are their derivatives.  This is due to their incompatibility with organic principles, their un-recallable nature and risk to the environment and human health.

Key issues to consider  Future of Irish Agriculture  Changing consumer demand, greater concern about food production, greater concern about environmental impact, food and health, food miles  Future of the Irish environment  Green and clean and GMO free!

Evidence based decision making.  The evidence base  Lessons from medical science and issues to do with how to assess the risks of GM.  The role of epigenetics ignored by the agricultural biotechnology industry. They still insist on using the dogma that one gene codes for one protein.  Risk assessment based on substantial equivalence- a pseudo-scientific concept because it is a commercial and political judgement masquerading as if it were scientific.  Coexistence of crops found to be impossible in countries already growing GM crops.

Conclusions.  Latest research shows substantial health risks from GM food including allergic reactions and antibiotic resistance.  The European consumer is willing to pay for value added products to ensure their health benefits.  Irish Organic market is increasing by 10% annually.

Food for thought?  You are what you eat?  Let’s hope not, if it is GM.